haue of all these things in abundance To know this Hand â—ow with your Boate to the Iland of Epeoya that lieth full South from your ship and then you shall see a long Iland hard by the firme Land which is this whereof wee speake and because you shall bee sure not to misse it be attentiue When you come neere the shore beholding a Rocke that lieth a quarter of a mile from the shore vpon which Rocke standeth a Crosse this is the place where a Portugall called Manuell Antones dwelleth but now there is no bodie but a kinde of Canibals that come and goe therefore be sure alwaies in those parts to keepe good watch and be carefull if you can speake their language you may haue many things From this Iland Southwards you shall see two small Ilands halfe a league from you these Ilands are called Amâ—â—buqâ—â—â—o right against them lieth a faire Riuer where you shall haue alwaies great store of fish and by the Riuer side you shall see the Mandioca plainly and many other Roots very good to refresh your companie Southward from this place some two leagues you shall see a faire Bay called Pâ—ratâ—â—y there dwelleth a kind of Canibals called Vâ—â—â—asses of them you may buy skins of diuers wilde beasts and sometimes they haue good store of Amber which they call Pira pâ—niâ— ergaty Saint Sebastian lieth some three leagues from Great Iland It is a long and a faire Iland you may anchor betweene it and the shore After you haue entred at the North point of this Iland you shall see a great white Rocke right ouer against this Rocke you shall see a point of the fiâ—me Land runne into the Sea and right before this point lie three Rockes where commonly you shall see Indians shooting fishes with their Bowes and Arrowes if you goe with your Boate to that point you shall see a great Bay called by the Indians Iequerequere There likewise standeth a great Towne of Canibals such as those that dwell at Great Iland halfe a league from Saint Sebastians standeth a small Iland right into the Sea called by the Indians Uraritan and by the Portugals Alquatrasses heere you shall finde great store of Sea-foules and Seales Alegators that liue on the Land called by the Indians Fisewâ—soâ— Right ouer against the South point of the Iland of Saint Sebastian standeth a great white Rocke called by the Portugals Paidemilio that is the life of Ginnie Wheate then shall you see an Iland hard by the shoare callâ—d by the Indians Boâ—souconga that is the Whales head this Iland standeth in the mouth of Pertioqua which is the Riuer that goeth to Saint Vincents as you goe to this place after you haue passed the Iland you shall see North-east from you certaine houses where there dwell a kind of Canibals called Caâ—â—oses there you may haue good store of Cattle Orenges Lemmons and many kinds of Râ—ots and Fruits Right against this Towne of Canibals called Caryhos standeth the Towne of Saint Uincents called by the Indians Warapiuâ—ama as you goe farther vp the Riuer you shall see a small Iland Southward where you shall see a Sugar-mill of the Captaines of Santos called Ieronimo Letâ—â— where our Gentlemen were slaine Farther vp the Riuer you shall see a Castle stand at the foote of the Hill then you come to the Towne of Santos which standeth haâ—d by the water side Right behind the Towne of Saâ—â—os standeth a Hill wher Brascubas had a house from the top of this Hill did Iohn Dauies make a Plate of the Countrey Now the Portugals haue found Mynes of siluer in this place The third Pariena is a good Harbour for ships and here are great store of Canibals and Carijâ—os which very lately are inleagued with the Portugals you may buy of them great store of Pepper and Ginger very rich Furres and Cotton-wooll and Waxe this is the place that I came vnto after I had beene taken by the Tâ—mâ—yâ—s within the Land Here the Tamoyes were taken by the Portugals and I was giuen againe to be my Masters slaue when 10000. of the â—â—â—oyes were slaine and 20000. of them parted among the Portugals for slaues The mouth of the Riuer of Plate is wide and within it there are many Downes of sand you must bee sure to keepe very neere the North shoare till you shall see a high Mountayne white at the top then must you saile Southward at least foure leagues and shall you see another small Hill on the Northside you must saile right with it then shall you come into a faire Bay where you must be sure to keepe still along the shoare and after you haue passed the Westerne point of this Bay you shall haue the Riuer Maroer then you need not feare any shallowes till you come before the Towne of Bonâ—s Ayres There the Riuer runneth full Southward and along the Riuer side from Bonos Ayres is a small Village built by the Spaniards of Lime and stone that they brought from Brasill for all the Countrey is sandie the Indians doe make their houses all couered with earth Here are great store of wilde Horses and Cattle sheepe and Goats but for siluer and gold there is none but that which commeth from Cordiâ—a and Potasin Here likewise the Indians haue great store of Wheate twentie leagues within Land lyeth a Prouince called Tocoman now it is a Bishopricke this Countrey is the diuision of Brasill and all the Prouinces of Noâ—a Hispania Here the Indians haue Wheate and Cassaâ—i Apples Peares Nuts and all other fruites of Spaine likewise they haue all the fruites of Brasill But after you trauell Southward of this Countrey you shall not find any thing that groweth in Brasill nor any wild beasts as Leopards or Câ—piâ—â—ras Iawasenings Cat of Mountaines Aqâ—eqâ—es Wari 〈…〉 s Mâ—râ—qâ—ies Ioboyas Surâ—câ—oâ—s â—â—rarcas Boyâ—eâ—a Boyseninga Boybeua Brasill is full of all these wilde and dangerous beasts and diuers others But the Prouinces of Peru are cleere of them except it bee some chance From Tâ—coman to Saint Iâ—go is eightie leagues and you shall trauell it as you doe by Sea with a Compasse for the Countrey is all sand and as the wing bloweth so shall you haue the Mountaynes of sand to day on one side of you to morrow on the other in this passage you shall passe through many Riuers which to your thinking are not aboue a foote deepe but if you haue not good guides and great experience your waggons and horses will quickly be cast away in them and at an instant be couered with quicke sand After you haue passed this Countrey you shall come to Saint Iago then till you come to Potosin you shall trauell through great Mountaines and Valleyes and all the way as you goe you shall haue great Townes of Indians who are all in peace with the Spaniards you shall haue fiue hundred of these Indians by the way as you trauell readie with Nets to carrie you tyed
next day eight Englishmen prisoners stole from Tercera in a small Boate hauing no other yard for their maine saile then two Pipe staues These told his Lordship that the Carrackes were departed a weeke before which moued him to returne for Fyall with purpose to take that Towne He arriued September the tenth landing his men the Platforme shot at them in their march but they comming vp found it and the Towne ahandoned and tooke thereof possession This Towne containeth 500. housholds well and strongly built of Lime and Stone well stored with fresh water delicate Fruites and Grapes of diuers sorts He set a guard to preserue the Churches and Religious Houses and staid there foure dayes till the ransome was brought him which was 2000 Duckets most of Church Plate He shipped from the Platforme eight and fiftie Peeces of Iron Ordnance The Gouernour of Graciosa sent his Lordship sixtie Butts of Wine but excused his want of fresh water A Ship of Weymoâ—â—h came thither with a Spanish prize worth sixteene thousand pounds and brought newes of the West Indie Fleete shortly to come which after three or foure dayes playing to and fro in rough weather I let passe a Shippe of Saint Malo which he took laden with New-found-land Fish he espied going into the hauen at Angra in Tercera to the number of fifteene saile being too farre to Leeward to come neere them and they being strong and fortified with the Castle and Fort he was forced to giue ouer And although he leâ—t a Pinnace for aduice intending to waite for them at Sea yet she returned with newes that they had taken off their sailes and downe their topmasts with resolution of longer stay Wherefore he sailed to Saint Michaels and being there repelled from watering went to Saint Maries where they found two Brasil Ships laden with Sugar which the Ilanders fought to bring a ground but Captaine Lyster hastning the attempt in the face of the enemie and danger of continuall shoare-shot borded the vttermost cut asunder her Cables and Hawsers and towed her away whiles Captaine Dauies entred the other then a ground and abandoned and was forced to forsake her Two men were slaine and sixteene hurt But a greater losse followed whiles the Earle in person sought to get the other ship Captaine Lyster rashly disvaluing the enemies force the Barre also detayning them on ground in the midst of danger from the enemie to the losse and hurt of eightie men His Lordship receiued three shot vpon his Target and a fourth on the side not deepe his head also broken with stones that the bloud couered his face both it and his legs likewise burned with fire-balls The Meg being leakie was sent with the prize into England and his Lordship held his course for Spaine By the way he tooke a Portugal ship laden from Brasil and after that another which was one of the fifteene which had before entred Angra being a ship of 400. Tunnes laden from Mexico and Saint Iohn de Vlhua with seuen hundred hides sixe chists of Cochenele certaine chists of Sugar and some Siluer The Captaine was an Italian and had in her fiue and twentie thousand Duckets aduenture Thus full of ioy they resolued homewards but Sea-fortunes are variable hauing two inconstant Parents Aire and Water His Lordship sent Captaine Lyster in the Mexican prize for Portsmouth which at Helclâ—ffe in Cornwall was wracked the Captaine and all his companie drowned except fiue or sixe Scarsitie of drinke caused by contrarie windes caused his Lordship to seeke to recouer some part of Ireland for reliefe but wayting for entrance was put off againe their Beere and Water being all spent Three spoonfuls of vineger were allowed to each man at a meale with some small reliefe squeezed out of the lâ—es of their wine vessels which continued fourteene dayes without other supply then the drops of Haile and Raine carefully saued with Sheets and Napkins Some dranke vp the soyled running water at the Scupper-holes others saued by deuise the runnings downe the Masts and â—arred Ropes and many licked the moist Boards Railes and Masts with their tongues like Dogs Yet was that Raine so intermingled with the sprie of the foaming Seas in that extreme storme that it could not be healthfull yea some in their extremitie of thirst dranke themselues to death with their Cannes of salt-water in their hands Notwithstanding this extreme scarsitie his noble charitie caused equall distribution of the small store they had aswell to all his prisoners as to his owne people By this time the lamentable cryes of the sicke and hurt men for drinke was heard in euery corner of the ship for want whereof many perished ten or twelue euery night more then otherwise had miscarried in the whole Voyage The storme continuing added to their misery tearing the ship in such sort as his Lordships Cabbin the dining roome and halfe Decke became all one and he was forced to seeke a new lodging in the hold His minde was yet vndaunted and present his bodily presence and preuentions readie The last of Nouember hee spake with an English ship which promised him the next morning two or three tunnes of Wine but soone after vnfortunately came on ground The next day hee had some supply of Beere but not sufficient to enable him to vndertake for England Hee therefore the winde seruing put into Ventre Hauen in the Westermost part of Ireland where hauing well refreshed the twentieth of December he set sayle for England His Lordship in this Voyage tooke thirteene Prizes but that which was worth more then all the rest was lost yet the profit redoubled his aduentures At his arriuall in London hee met with the vnfortunate newes of the death of his eldest Sonne Francis Lord Clifford which died the twelfth of December 1589. yet was comforted with the birth of the Ladie Anne Clifford borne the last of Ianuary following his Daughter and by the death of Robert Lord Clifford who dyed the fourteenth of May 1591. his heire now the vertuous wife of the Right Honourable Richard Earle of Dorset THis Honourable Sparke was further kindled and enflamed by former disasters and obtayning of her Majestie a new ship called the Garland a ship of sixe hundred tunnes added the Samson Vice-admirall a ship of his Lordships of two hundred and sixtie tunnes the Golden Noble Reare-admirall and to them the Allagarta and a small Pinnasse called the Discouerie With these he set forth 1591. at his owne charge to the Coast of Spaine where hee tooke good purchase a ship laden at Saint Thomas with Sugars which he was forced to cast off by an irrecouerable leake another also which after long contrary winds in her course for England was driuen to put into a Spanish Harbour for want of victuals But in two other hee was more vnfortunate For Captayne Munson being sent to dispatch the goods and the Golden Noble to accompany them
which the nights calmenesse prohibited the ships beeing thus seuered were by the Gallies of Penocha set vpon his Lordship being within hearing of the shot but by reason of the calme not able to releeue them so that the two ships were recouered Captayne Bayly slaine Captayne Munson and the rest carried Prisoners to Penecha and thence to Lisbone His Lordship wrote to the Archdâ—ke Albert then Vice-roy for their good vsage otherwise threatning requitall to theirs of whom he presumed hee should take store For feare whereof the common sort were returned a few dayes after new clothed Captayne Munson with sixe others only detayned His Lordship hauing intelligence of a great Armada prepared in the Groyne to bee sent against the Lord Thomas Howard then Admirall of her Majesties fleet at the Asores attending to surprize the West Indian fleet sent the Mooneshine with aduise otherwise the Lord Howard had runne the fortune of Sir Richard Greenuile who lost his ship and life or rather exchanged the one for honor and for the other made the Spaniards the greatest losers in so deere a purchase Thus weakned by disaduenture he was forced to returne for England HIs Lordship considering the inconuenience of her Maiesties command not to lay any Spanish ship aboard with her ships lest both might together be destroyed by fire rather chose to seeke out amongst the Merchants then to make further vse of the ships Royall And so hee hired the Tigre a ship of six hundred tunnes furnished by the Owners for three hundred pounds a moneth wages in which he went in person thereto adding his owne ship the Samson and the Golden Noble with two small ships These in the yeere 1592. were set forth but so crossed with winds as three moneths victualls were spent in Harbours before they could get to the Westward of Plymmouth whereby also one of his Lordships principall designes was frustrate which was the taking of the Carrikes outward bound as also the meanes to performe his intended Voyage to the West Indies Wherevpon not like to satisfie that expectation which might arise from a personall expedition of his Lordship he transferred the chiefe command to Captayne Norton and returned to London leauing instructions with the Admirall to goe for the Asores Captayne Norton neere Cape Finisterre met two of the King of Spaines Gallions returning from Brest in Brittanie in fight with whom the Golden Noble receiued a shot in her fore-mast which made them doubt of her further sufficiencie but hauing fished it aswell as they could Captayne Caue her Commander espied an Argosie bound for Lisbone and gaue chase to her within shot of the Fort of Cascaijs within fiue fathome water of a shoald called Catchops and there in sight of the men on shoare laid her aboard and returned into England with her The Admirall with the rest of the fleet arriued at the Asores and hauing watered and refreshed at Flores which that Iland permitted to all men of warre as not able to withstand them put to Sea and spreading themselues the Santa Cruce was descried which made all the haste she could for Angra in Tercera They hasted after and being within halfe a league of her they espied Sir Iohn Burroughs in the Ro-bucke a ship of Sir Walter Raleighs of two hundred tunnes which had ridden vnseene on the Easterne side of the Iland standing to crosse the Carrickes way so that now she was forced the wind being Westerly to luffe vp recouer the Road of Lagowâ—a on the South end of Flores The law and custom of the Sea making al ships of war then together though not formerly consorted equall sharers according to their tunnage of the prizes gained Captayne Norton out of ciuil respect and not needing help consulted with Sir Iohn Burroughs and they agreed to board her the next morning But a storme in the night forced them al from their anchors which the next day being somwhat allaied they recouered the road found the Carrike warped as neer the shore as they could hauing indeuoâ—ed also to put ashore such goods as time would permit and fired with all her sayles and flags vp and Ordnance laden which went off on euery side when the fire came to them a sight more pleasing to the Portugals then the English whom those accounted now the Owners of that consumed substance The surge also issue of the late storme scarsly permitted their Boates to land to seeke to get wrackes and what the Portugals had carried ashoare eâ—â—ry man for feare of wracking the Boates on the Rockes being vp to the neck and some ouer head and eares before they could obtayne the shoare where also they were forced on hands and knees to climbe vp a steep hill on the top whereof stood many Ilanders tumbling downe great stones on them But all difficulties were made easie by resolution and hope which brought them to the Towne now forsaken by her Inhabitants and made them Masters of the wracked goods which seemed to flye thither for refuge from the fire and water Whiles they were thus employed about this burnt Carrike Sir Robert Crosse Captayne of the Foresight of her Maiesties Master Tomson Captayne of the Daintie a ship of Sir Iohn Hawkins Captayne Newport in the Golden Dragon came into this consort They were much grieued with this spectacle but comforted that there had but one of the fiue Carrickes passed this had fallen into this terrible Purgatory and three were still expected They spread themselues continued expecting from the nine and twentieth of Iune till the third of August at which time Master Tomson first had sight of the great Carricke called Madre de Dios and comming vp gaue her a broad-side of Ordnance falling a sterne came hauing laden his Ordnance again and againe to deliuer his pealâ—s to hinder her way till the rest of the fleet could come the Carricke answering with the like Sir Iohn Burroughes and the Golden Dragon came in about three a clocke and Sir Iohn receiued a shot of a Canon Perier vnder water in the Bread-roome which made him beare vp to stop his leake Sir Robert Crosse was the next who to giue her his broad side came so neere that becalming his sayles he vnwillingly fell aboard the Carricke which hauing lashed her fast by the Strowdes sayled away with her by her side The Earle of Cumberlands ships worst of sayle were the last which came vp about eleuen aclocke at night not minding then to boord her But hearing the Foresight calling to Captayne Norton And you be men saue the Queenes ship he gaue order to the Samson to lay her aboord on the one side and promising to doe the like in the Tigre on the other which about twelue a clock was performed The Tigre running stemling aboord broke her beake-head to the huddings the Samson laid the Forefight aboord and entred thorow her into the Carricke whereby
the Forefight without entring any one man tooke opportunitie to free her selfe And now both ships companies beeing entred into the Fore-cheynes the Fore-castle was so high that without any resistance the getting vp bad â—â—â—ne difficult But heere was strong resistance some irrecouerably falling by the boâ—rd aâ—◠〈…〉 ssault continued an houre and an halfe so braue a bootie making the men fight like Dragons till the Fore-castle being gained the Portugals stowed themselues in holds The English now hunted after nothing but pillage and were readie to goe to the eares about it each man lighting a Candle the negligence of which fired a Cabbin in which were sixe hundred Cartrages of Powder The rumour hereof made them all readie to forsake the Carrike when Captayne Norton with some others with buckets of water aduentured the quenching of that fire Feare of leake by the fight and neernesse of the shoare were great parts of his care All these dangâ—rs freed contention about so rich a pillage was welnigh kindling in the Commanders beeing so diuersly commanded and employed but Sir Iohn Burroughes pretending the Queenes name Captayne Norton yeelded that hee should take care of the Carricke which he accordingly repayred lands about eight hundred Negros on Coruo detaynes the ordinary Saylers commits the Gentlemen to a ship of the Eaâ—le of Cumberlands to goe whether they would who escaped not a second rifling by other Englishmen of warre which tooke from them thus negligently dismissed nine hundred Diamonds besides other odde ends The Earle of Cumberland had notice by a Pinnasse sent from Captayne Norton twentie dayes before the Carricke came into England and had Commission from the Queene for her safe harbouring Hardly she escaped the Rockes of Silly the Tigre also participating in that danger and came to Dartmouth being so huge and vnweldie a ship as shee was neuer remooued out of that Harbour but there laid vp her bones His Lordships share would haue amounted according to his employment of ships and men to two or three Millions but because his Commission large enough otherwise had not prouided for the case of his returne and substituting another in his place some adjudged it to depend on the Queenes mercie and bountie Neyther yet by reason of some mens imbezelling had her Majestie the account of the fifth part of her value and the Earle was faine to accept of sixe and thirtie thousand pounds for him and his as out of gift THe next yeere 1593. his Lorship procured two ships Royall the Golden Lion Admirall commanded by himselfe the Bonaduenture Vice-admirall and therewith employed the Backe Chaldon the Pilgrime the Anthonie and the Disconerie which three last when hee came to the Coast of Spaine hee sent for the West Indies Hee tooke from the protection of fourteene great Hulkes two French ships of Saint Malowes which then held for the league and vâ—â—re therefore reputed in state of Spaniards of great value one of which he carried with him and sent the other into England The Spaniards hauing intelligence set forth an Armada against him which waited for him at the Ilands and the Earle hearing of their beeing at Flores and within fiue leagues of them lighted on a ship which they had sent to descry which before shee could recouer her fleet he tooke He learning by these that the Spanish fleet trebled the force of his hauing kept company with them one day quitted them and kept tenne or twelue leagues distant from them three weekes In which space he fell sicke beyond hope of life without returne or refreshing from the shoare Captayne Monson with much hazard procured him some refreshing from Coruo and leauing the rest of the ships which tooke one Prize after hee returned for England this proouing the most gainfull Voyage which he made before or after THe Anthonie of one hundred and twentie tunnes commanded by Captayne Iames Langton Pilot Antonio Martino a Spaniard which had long liued in those Indies and wel acquainted with those Ports the Pilgrime of one hundred tunnes commanded by Captayne Francis Slingsbie Diego Petrus a Spanish Pilot and the Discouerie these three after fare well solemnely taken and giuen by shot on all hands shaped their Course for the Antillas and fell with the Iland of Saint Lucia there and at Matinnio refreshing themselues three dayes they concluded to attempt the taking of the Rancherias which are the Pearle-fishings of Margarita contayning sixe or seuen seuerall small Villages which for that purpose they inhabit but not aboue one of them at once when their fishing failes there remouing to another and so by course hauing emptie houses standing alway readie for that purpose The Pearles for more safetie are monethly carried to the Towne of Margarita three leagues from the waters side They kept out of sight all day for feare of discouerie and at night landed and visited two emptie Rancherias but taking a Spaniard which then came thither in a Boate with two Indians they made him their guide to the inhabited Rancheria fiue leagues off commanding the Boates to row along the shoare and not to double the point till euening The two Captaynes with eight and twentie men marched by land in the heat which with want of water much annoyed them They came thither in the beginning of the night and agreed to assault the place in three places at once notwithstanding their small numbers lest they should gather head any where The Spaniards at first thought it had beene some false alarme of the Gouernour and bid away with this iesting but finding it earnest hastily fled to the woods Thus did they take the Towne with some two thousand pounds value in Pearle besides what other pillage the Souldiers gate Their weapons they brake for feare of pursuite In the morning they went aboord the fishing Boats and tooke their Oysters gotten the night before and gate aboord their ships much in suspense for them not knowing of this sudden enterprize the fifth day after they had gone from them The shippes now comming before the Towne demanded ransome for their houses and Canoas to redeeme which from destruction they gaue two thousand Duckets in Pearle But Caruels of aduice hauing euery-where giuen intelligence of them at Cumana they found them on their guard and returned not without losse Thence they coasted Terra F 〈…〉 ma till they came to the Ilands of Aruba and Corresao where they landed and refreshed themselues Thence to Rio de Hache which they thought to haue taken but found the enemy ready for them with other intelligence that they had carried their goods into the Mountaynes They therefore set saile for Hispaniola came to Cape Tuberone and thence to the Bay of Saint Nicholas and thence to Fort Plat and others on the North side thence to Mona and so Sauona where they watered againe in this manner The Iland is low destitute of any Spring and to the Sea a small
fine Sand. Not twenty paces from the wash of the Sea digging a hole and setting therein a Hogshead the head knocked out water is plentifully taken seeming to be no other then the Sea water losing the saltnesse in that passage Thence they went to the Riuer of Socko about 5. l. Eastward of Saint Domingo and went in the night 4. l. vp and suddenly surprised an Estanca that is a Farme place where slaues keepe the great mens cattle make their Cassaui bread dresse their Ginger and Fruites and doe other offices of Husbandry Being thereof possessed they came to parlie for ransome of their Houses and for their Negros for which they gaue them the flesh of thirtie Beeues with Cassaui and Fruites Beefe will not keepe in those parts aboue foure and twenty houres vnlesse first salted and then dried in the Sunne being first cut into two sides like Bacon without any bone left in it nor any peece of flesh thicker then a mans hand It must first be searched with a Knife then rubbed ouer with Salt and hauing so remained twelue houres must be dried in the Sunne and foure hot dayes drying will saue it sufficiently Other Estanças being likewise taken yeelded like contributions From thence they went vpon another Riuer called Marracaua where there was an Ingenio of Sugars which they tooke for their prouisions and caused the owner to ransome it from burning Thence they went to the mouth of the harbour of Saint Domingo and rid there at the East side of the same at Point Torrosilio to intercept any Shipping comming forth The Sergeant Mayor came hither to treat for ransome of some prisoners and with him an Englishman of Captaine Lancaesters company of Captain Raymunds fleete whose Ship was newly cast away comming out of the East Indres into those parts a little to the West of Saint Domingo at Acoa The Spaniards set forth two Caruels to intercept the Boates which they did but the Ships recouered the taken and takers together They brought foure brasse Falcons of Captaine Lancasters Ship ten others of Iron they left for the heauinesse being somewhat farre from the water They tooke also a fine Friggot hidden vnder the trees which they brought for England Thence they went for Iamaica and there found two Barkes laden with Hides and Cannafistula one of which they manned and sent for England taken by a French man of warre by the way Thence they went to Cuba to Cape Corientes and Cape Saint Antonio to expect shipping comming for the Hauana but in vaine Thus after eight moneths spent in the Countrey the Antonie and the Frigot went to the Bay of Honduras the Pilgrime at Hauana spent some few dayes and then set saile for England where they arriued in Plimmouth May 14. 1594. The Antonie and the Frigot within foure leagues of Porto cauallo descried seuen Shippes in the Road the least of ninescore tun They anchored within Caliuar shot of the Spanish Shippes and moored their Ships a head and sterne and bent their broad sides vnto them and there fought all that day with those seuen Shippes and all night now and then a shot Captaine Langton sent the Boate and Shallop to the shore from whence they brought a Frigot of twenty tunne The next morning they fired the Frigot and with their Boates purposed to bring her crosse the Admirals halfe But when they saw them comming they all ranne into the Boates and got ashore The Admirall let slippe the other sixe vnhanged their Rudders and carried them ashore that none should saile away with the Shippes if they were taken They laded the Admirall with the best out of all the Shippes and sent ashore to know if they would ransome the rest which they delaying they fired one of them laden with Hides and Logwood and then another laden with Susaparill But the King of Spaine had forbidden them any ransoming and they came not All their Ordnance was heaued ouerboord sauing two or three Brasse peeces in hope some Englishmen might be the better for them afterward One of them was a Shippe of fiue hundred tunnes They brought away the Admirall of 250. and came into Plimmouth the fifteenth of May the next day after the Pilgrims arriuall ANno 1594. The Earle of Cumberland on his owne charge with the helpe of some aduenturers set forth for the Tercera Ilands the Royall Exchange Admirall of 250. tunnes commanded by Captaine George Caue the May Floure Viceadmirall of like burden commanded by Captaine William Antonie the Samson Rereadmirall commanded by Captaine Nicholas Downton a Caruell and a small Pinnace They set forth from Plimmouth April 6. In the way they tooke a small Barke laden with Galicia wines c. Iune the second they had sight of Saint Michael After ten dayes they descried the great Carricke of 2000. tuns called the Cinque LLagas or Fiue Wounds The May Floure first got vp to her and receiued an vnwelcome salutation In the night the Samson came in and continued the fight and at last the Admirall They agreed that the Admirall should lay the Carrake aboord in the Prow the Viceadmirall in the Waste and the Rereadmirall in the Quarter But it fell out that the Admirall laying her aboord at the looffe recoiled a sterne the Viceadmirall being so neere that she was faine to runne with her bolt sprit betweene the two quarters which forced the Rereadmirall to lay her aboord on the Bowe After many bickerings fire-workes flew about interchangeably At last the Vice-admiral with a Culuering-shot at hand fired the Carrick in her Sterne and the Reare-admirall her Fore-castle by a shot that gaue fire to the Mat on the Beake-head from thence burning to the Mat on the Bolt-sprit and so ran vp to the Top-saile-yard they plying and maintayning their fires so well with their small shot that many of those which came to quench them were slaine These fires encreased so sore that the Vice-admiralls fore-saile and fore-top-saile were both burnt the Reare-admirall being in like predicament whiles the Admirall with much danger and difficultie quenched the fires throwne into her from the Carrick To saue themselues in this heat and furie the Admirall and Vice-admirall fell off leauing the Reare-admirall foule of the Carricks sprit-saile-yard in great danger to haue beene consumed with her had they not helped her off with their Boats In this distresse the companie brought the Commander Don Francisco de Melo to put forth a flagge of truce but the Carricks Carpenter more desperate comforted him with hope of quenching the fire whereupon he cryed Coragio I will neuer yeeld notwithstanding the protestations contestations and obtestations of the lamenting out-crying companie One ran â—â—raged on him charging him with this foule vncharitablenesse threatning vengeance on him and his for this obstinacy in suffering so many soules to perish rather then to accept the English assistance Some of their chiefest rich in chaines and
to traffick with them entreating vs to goe to then Towne the which we did where wee were receiued with dancing and singing of great and small and in euery house I was receiued with great ceremonies and long speeches of the chiefest that were in the Towne The next day I began to traffiâ—k with them for slaues and I bought ninetie all which I brought to Martin de Saa who remayned at Ilha Grande till I returned â—gaine Assoone as I came vnto him I deliuered all vnto him desiring him to stand my friend and to giue mee leaue to taâ—rie among the Canibals till such time as hee had spoken with his fatâ—er in my behalfe Laughing hee answered that I neede to feare to goe home for the man was recouered and gone to the Râ—uer of Plate and that his father was very sorry thinking I had beene eaten by some Serpent Leopard or Lion When I came before the Gouernour he blessed himselfe to see mee meruailing where I had beene so long and sent me againe to his Sugar mill where I continued a twelue-moneth and I had the charge to châ—stall the Sugar in which time I got two hundred crownes I determined to goe to Angola in Aethiopia and the Gouernour gaue me his word that I shoulâ— and that what fauour he could-shew me I should bee sure to haue but when the ship was readie to depart the Gouernour sent mee out of Towne on a sleeuelesse errand and I remayned ashoare and lost all that I had scraped together for my voyage A monetâ— or two after this it happened that the Wayanasses were set on by a kind of Canibals called Taymayas the Wayanasses haue traffâ—ck and friendship with the Portugals and the most mortall enemies that the Portugals haue in all America are the Taymayas The Wayanasses hauing lost a great many men in a battell not being able to make any head againe of themselues craued succour againe of the Portugals My Master being Gouernour of the Towne sent his sonne Martin de Saa with seuen hundred Portugals and two thousand Indians The Wayanasses certified vnto vs that the most that wee should bee before wee come to the Taymayas would bee a moneth Thus the fourteenth day of October 1597. we departed on our way with sixe Canoas by Sea some thirtie miles from the Riuer of Ianuarie for a Port called Paratee The first day that we departed we had a great storme where we thought we should all haue beene drowned but it was the will of God to saue our liues with the generall losse of all we had the Canoas turned vpside downe with the storme wee holding fast on the bottom of them were driuen on shoare with great hazard of our liues From the place where we droue on shoare to the Riuer of Wareteena it was three miles which we went by land and sent the Canoas to the Riuer of Ianuarie for victuals We tarried two dayes at Wareteena till the aforesaid Canoas returned the third day wee went to a place of Great Iland called Ippoa where there dwelt two or three Portugals Here we had great store of Poâ—atoâ—s Plantons to eat At this place we remayned fiue dayes for fiue hundred Canibals that were to come from an Iland called Iawaripipo When these Indians were come we depâ—rted in our Canoas for our desired Port called Paratee As we went in the night wee cut a great Bay of the Sea where a Whale did ouerturne one of our Canoas notwithstanding wee tooke the men that were in the Sea and went on for the Harbour aforesaid The next day the Captaine commanded all the Canoas to be pulled out of the water and to couer them well with boughes determining immediately to depart by land That night that we came to Paratee there came a Caniball to vs called Alecio from a Towne called Iequerequere this Town lyeth by the Sea-side right ouer against the Iland of San Sebastian This Inâ—ian brought eightie Bow-men with him offering himselfe with all his companie to goe with our Captaine The next day we departed on our voyage through the Mountaines at night the Captaine seeing Alecio the Caniball lying on the ground tooke away the Net that I had to sleepe in and gaue it to the Caniball I being faine to lie vpon the earth I complayned to some of the Portugals of the wrong that the Captaine did vse vnto mee they answered that his father sent me in that voyage onely to be made away I replyed Gods will be done After wee had gone on our iourney three dayes we came to the bottom of a great Mountaine called by the Indians Paranapeacano that is in our language The sight of the Sea this Mountaine is so high that wee were three dayes going vp and three dayes also going downe Two dayes after wee were descended we came into a faire champaine Countrie like meadow ground with long grasse and great store of Pine trees where we lodged that night in a bottom in which we killed aboue sixe hundred Snakes it was the will of God that one Indian called Ieronimo was bit by them and not any more This Indian presently swelled and his bloud sprung out of his eyes and his nailes and so he died After that we came to trauell againe through the Mountaynes some forty dayes then wee came to a great Riuer called Paracuona which Riuer wee passed with things made of Canes tyed together with withes which the Portugals call Iangathas We were foure dayes before we passed ouer this Riuer it was so great and ranne so swift After that wee trâ—uelled againe some 20. dayes till we came to a great Mountayne called Panaç◠yâ—awâ—â—paconâ— we were foure dayes going vp this Mountayne by reason of the great showres of raine that we had besides wee were very weake and all our victuals were done But hoping to find our enemies very soone we did our best â—o hold out comming vp this hill from sixe of the clocke in the morning till it was two of the clocke in the afternoone on a rainie day the Captaine commanded euery man to make his abode for that night whereupon I set downe my burthen and went into the Mountaynes to cut some boughes of a Tree called Saâ—â—ambaya to couer vs from the raine the weather was so cold and I hauing trauelled all day without meate was so feeble that going to cut a bough my sword fell out of my hand and I sate vnder a Tree where I had made mine end if it had not bin for my deere friend Henry Barrawell who seeing that I tarried long came to seeke me and found me in such case that I was not able neither to speake nor stand After he had brought me to the Campe he layed me by the fire I recouered and was very well After we had passed this Mountayne of Pareena wee trauelled in a kind of low wash ground there were great store of Canibals called Pories Vpon
and you may ride from fiue fathomes to twentie but wee ridde in three a little within the point on our Larboord side going in The eighteenth of Ianuary wee parted from our Man of Warre at Cape Saint Anthony and set saile for England in a Prize a ship of some one hundred and fortie tunnes laden with Campeche Wood and Hides the Master of the Prize was William Goobreath and from Cape Saint Anthony we stood off North-west and by North. The nine and twentieth day at noone we had sight of the Westermost Land of the Organes being East South-east from vs and then we stood North-east and the twentieth day we were in latitude 23. degrees 15. minutes the winde being at East North-east we stood off North and from the twentieth day to the one and twentieth day wee made our way West and by North and this day we were in latitude 23. degrees 20. minutes then we stood to the Eastward The two and twentieth day we were North-west and by North from the Crowne in Cuba fourteene leagues then we stood to the North-ward these fourteene leagues we turned vp and downe with the winde Easterly The three and twentieth day wee were in laâ—itude of 24. degrees no minutes the wind being at East North-east and we lay North with the stemme and this night we came in twelue fathomes being then in latitude of 24. degrees 35. minutes the winde being at East and by South we stood to the Southward The fiue and twentieth day wee fell with Cobey twelue leagues to the Eastward of the Hauana and this day about foure of the clocke in the afternoone we had the Pam of the Matanças South-east and by South from vs some sixe leagues the winde being at East and we stood North North-east three Watches and brought the Pan vpon the Matanzas South of vs the winde being at East North-east we stood to the Northward for so we made the ships way The seuen and twentieth day at foure of the clocke in the afternoone wee fell with the South-east part of the Martyrs then wee stood off South-east and by South three watches with a low saile and so cast about and stood North-east and by North three watches and then obserued and found the ship to bee in the latitude of 24. degrees and 55. minuts being then South-west and by South of the Cape of Florida about three leagues the winde being at South-east and by East we stood off South and by West three watches and then cast about and stood North-east two watches and then obserued and found the ship to be in 25. degrees 36. minutes being the nine and twentieth day of Ianuarie 1602. and then two watches North and by East and foure North North-east and the thirtieth day at noone wee had the Cape Canaueral West and by North from vs sixe and twentie leagues by supposition being now in latitude 28. degrees 14. minutes the winde being at South wee stood North-east and by East into the Sea The eighteenth day of March at noone being Thursday wee fell with Silley and wee were South from it three leagues or ten miles the winde being at West South-west wee stood for the Lizzard and the twentieth day of this moneth we came to winde being at anchor in Dartmouth this was my first voyage which I haue to the West Indies CHAP. XI The description of the I le of Trinidad the rich Countrie of Guiana and the mightie Riuer of Orenoco written by FRANCIS SPARREY left there by Sir WALTER RALEIGH 1595. and in the end taken by the Spaniards and sent prisoner into Spaine and after long captiuitie got into England by great sute 1602. The description of the I le of Trinidad POrta la Spaniola lyeth North-east The Spaniards name themselues Conquerabians Anapâ—rima is the name of the Riuer which goeth to Corona the Spanish Towne The North part is very mountainous The Indians of Trinidad haue foure names 1. Those of Parico are called Iaios 2. Those of Punta Carao Aruacas 3. Those of Curiadan are called Saluages 4. Those betweene Punta Carao and Punta de la Galera Nepoios But those which are seruants to the Spaniards name themselues Carinapagâ—tos The chiefest of the Indians I meane the Kings and Lords of the Ilands in times past named themselues Acarewanas but now Captaines The description of Guiana and of the great Riuer Orenoco GViana beareth directly East from Peru and lyeth almost vnder the Equinoctiall Line The entrance to the Riuer Orenoco through the Riuer Capuri at the mouth at a full Sea hath nine foot water and at the ebbe but fiue foot The water floweth but a small time but increaseth much and the ebbe goeth but slowly for it continueth sixe houres In the bottome of the Gulfe of Guanipa there is the Riuer of Amana which leadeth into Orenoco also In this Riuer which wee named the Riuer of the Red Crosse wee tooke an old Tinitiuan for our Pilot to Orenoco The Riuer of Orenoco or Barequan hath nine mouthes which lye on the North-side of the mayne land but I could heare but of seuen mouthes vpon the South-side So that betweene Ilands and broken Lands it hath some sixteene mouthes in all The Ilands are somewhat bigge so as I can hardly ghesse how many leagues it is from the North-side to the South-side At the entrance of this Riuer are two great Lords Tiuitiuans which hold warre one with the other continually The one Nation are called the Tiuitiuans of Pallamos and the other of Hororotomaca He that entreth the Riuer of Amana from Curiapan cannot possibly returne the same way hee came by reason of the Easterly windes and the great Currents but must of force goe in a Riuer within the Land which is called Macurio To goe from the I le of Trinidad to the great Riuer Orenoco the Riuer of Amana beareth South But parting from that Riuer by a branch which beareth to the West we entred Orenoco Toparimaca is the chiefe Gouernour vnder Topiawari of the entrance of the Eastermost part of the Riuer Orenoco The Towne of this Gouernour is called Arwacan These are friends to the Carapanans Tiuitiuans and all Nations the Caribes excepted Carapana lyeth in the Prouince of Emeria and the Eastermost part of Dorado is called Emeria Assapana is the first Iland in Orenoco it is but small The second Iland is called Iwana There is another entrance into Orenoco which I discouered not but the Indians name it Arraroopana Europa is a Riuer which commeth into Orenoco but the head of it I know not In the middest of Orenoco there is a pretie bigge Iland which is somewhat mountainous and the name of it is Ocawita One Putima commandeth vnder Topiawari in the Confines of Morrequito which lyeth in the Prouince of Arromaia The Iland of Putapaima is farre vp within the Riuer of Orenoco and standeth right against the high Mountaine called Oecope Ouer this
found it nothing so Some bad fresh-water pearles I found there which were nothing round Orient nor very great I brought of them with me to the Spaniards and they said they were no Pearles but Topasses Camalaha is a place where they sell Women at certaine times in the manner of a Faire And there you shall buy colours such as the Saluages paint themselues with In this Faire which is called Camalaha which is to the South of Orenoco I bought eight young Women the eldest whereof I thinke neuer saw eighteene yeeres for one red-hafted knife which in England cost mee one halfe-peny I gaue these Women away to certaine Saluages which were my friends at the request of Warituc the Kings Daughter of Murrequito Tar or Taroo is an Iland which is to the South South-west of Orenoco To which place I went because they said there was neuer any that inhabited in this Iland but that it was in the manner of a bayting place for the Caribes when they had stollen people which they meant to eate One Captaine Caramatoij was my guide to this place whither we went somewhat strong with intent if wee could finde any Caribes on this Iland to kill them but wee found none Many houses wee found there couered with straw which wee set on fire And there I found close by the water side going about the Iland which was but small many stones of diuers colours To the West of this Riuer and Iland which is called Tar or Taroo is a Riuer which is called Habuc There are about this Riuer in most places eight ten seuenteene and thirtie fathomes water This Riuer of Habuc commeth from the Sea The entrance of this Riuer at the mouth is barred but at a full Sea you shall haue fourteene and fifteene foot water but in the Channell in which the Canoas enter which is but narrow there is more then sixe fathoms but I doubt that ships cannot enter there This Riuer Habuc is the best and surest harbour that I could finde for our ships and freest from the danger of the enemie and is not full eight dayes iourney from Orenoco The Riuer Europa lyeth to the East of Orenoco as you come from Trinidad you may as I certainly know going some twentie leagues in the Riuer of great Amana discouer the great and high Mountaine which is called Oecopa being there you shall plainly see the Playnes or Downes of Samia through which Playnes you may safely march ouer the Land within ten or twelue leagues of Cumana or to the Caracas From Orenoco also it is very easie to goe to the Towne of Santo Domingo which beareth North North-west directly but you must passe of force the Riuer Amapaia leauing the Iland called Amazones South and beare your course as neere as you can North-west or North North-west By this course you shall passe and escape the force and danger of the Towne and land some sixe dayes iourney from Santo Domingo The Riuer Wiaumli is to the North of Orenoco To goe into this Riuer which is little worth you may goe in the Land till you come to another small Riuer which is called Maccah directing your course South you shall within two dayes if your Canoa bee good enter the Riuer of Wiaumli The Land taketh the name of the Riuer The Gouernours name is Woripur Worrok Halaha Carrabouca is in the firme Land of the great Iland called Murrequito it is the common trade to goe to the rich Guiana or Manoa Drano is a faire Riuer but it is dangerous to goe farre in it by reason it lyeth due South-east from Orenoco and the Southermost part of the Moores of Anebas is very low so that the tanie waters issue in great abundance into this Riuer of Drano The danger for entring this Riuer is nothing but the doubt is onely of the bad water and most terrible dewes which fall from the Moores which are vnhealthfull and kill the Indians daily for that continually when they trauell they lie in the open aire The Eastermost part of Dorado is called Emeria There is a small Riuer which lyeth farre East in Emeria and beareth North North-west Through this Riuer called Capurisol is a sure a perfect and most safe way to goe to Peru but the iourney will aske eight or ten weekes to finish it Through these Riuers of force wee must passe with Canoas or Ship-boats or such like for there is alway very little water The Riuer of Capurisol lyeth in eight degrees and two terces to the North of the Equinoctiall Line But the North starre keepeth his degree and altitude 11. degrees and two terces In this Riuer is still a fine small brise of winde which lightly bloweth at West but at noone you shall hardly finde any winde CHAP. XII Captaine CHARLES LEIGH his voyage to Guiana and plantation there THe one and twentieth of March 1604. Captaine Charles Leigh in the Oliue Plant a proper Barke of some fiftie Tunnes accompanied with six and fortie men and boyes departed from Wolwich with intention to discouer and inhabit some part of the Countrie of Guiana where he had beene in a former voyage they stayed in the Downes vntill the eight and twentieth of the said moneth and passing thence they touched in the I le of Mogador on the coast of Barbarie in the moneth of Aprill where we stayed about some fiue dayes and watered on the mayne land in despite of the rebell Moores which would haue had money for our watering Thence with prosperous winde coasting the Iles of Cape Verde we passed ouer to the West Indies and vpon the tenth of May comming in change of water which shewed thicke and white by the next day we were in fresh water and the next day following about fiue in the morning wee saw two Ilands in the mouth of the Riuer of Amazones making account that we were fortie leagues vp the Riuer and came to an anchor in three fathoms vnder them which wee found low land couered with high Trees Then the Captaine with some eight of the best men of the ship went toward the shoare and finding many Indians comming toward them they returned aboard and found the ship almost aground but sounding the Bay brought their ship into the Channell which they found very narrow Within awhile after foure Indians in a small Canoa shewed themselues vnto vs to whom we sent our Boat with some of our commodities as Hatchets Kniues Glasses Beades they had nothing but Maiz and small blue-headed Parrots for which we gaue them some of our triffles Not long after another Canoa comming out our Boat clapt betweene them and the shoare to take some of them to learne the state of the Riuer by them but they freed themselues all saue one youth which was brought aboard which next day after escaped leaping into the Sea twelue leagues as we iudged from land Thus we tooke our leaue of the Riuer of Amazones
and hauing vncertaine shoaldings all the way in our way about ten a clocke in the night wee strooke vpon a sand before we could let fall our anchor where wee beat off a piece of our false keele before wee could get off Being gotten off wee came to an anchor in foure fathom and a halfe water and rode there vntill the next morning where wee descryed the land sixe leagues from vs with the entrance of a Riuer The two and twentieth of May wee arriued in the Riuer of Wiapogo in the latitude of three degrees and a halfe to the North of the Line where wee found the people readie to giue vs the best entertainment they could bringing vs Hony Pines Plantons Potatoes Cassaui whereof they make their bread and wine Fish of many sorts Hennes Conies Hogs and such like This day he tooke an oath of all his people to be true to him as long as he abode in the Countrie Then after diuers conferences with the chiefe Indians and namely with two of their Countrie which had beene before in England and could speake some English he found them very willing to haue him and his people abide in their Countrie who pretending want of many necessaries whereof indeed he stood in need and especially of victuals hee went vp the Riuer in his Boat with some fourteene men to take perfect view of a fit place to inhabit in and to sound the depth of the Riuer as they went At his returne he caused his ship to be brought vp hard vnto the falls of the Riuer but after they had stayed there one day finding sundrie inconueniences they came backe againe to their first road with a determination to plant and seate themselues vpon the first Mount or high ground at the entrance of the North side of the Riuer But the Iayos and Sapayos seeing him and his company come downe the Riuer againe entreated him earnestly to stay among them offering him their owne dwelling Houses and Gardens alreadie planted to their hands whereof he accepted to wit of two Houses and of as many Gardens as they thought conuenient to serue his turne with condition that he should ayde and defend them against their enemies the Caribes and others Hereupon they made a great Feast desiring our Captaine to bee at it and they demand of their generalitie of the staying of our men in the Countrey or no. Whereunto they gaue their free consent and desired him withall to send into England for men to teach them to pray This done the next day he brought all his furniture on shoare and bestowed it in the aforesaid houses And for the better assurance of the performance of the Saluages promise he demanded pledges of them to be sent into England whereunto they willingly condescended which where in number fiue whereof two were of good account Hee retayned thirtie fiue Englishmen and Boyes with him sending the rest home in Iune with the fiue Saluages which were plentifully furnished with their Country victuals with Letters to the right Worshipfull Sir Olaue Leigh his brother of his successe and desire to supply his wants which he most kindly twice supplied to his great charge within short time after The Caribes in eight warlike Canowes came to surprize them as farre as the Mount Comaribo whereof the Indians being aduertised by our fishers desired Captaine Leigh to aide them which he did with some foure and twentie of his men in eight Canowes But the battell being begun after they had heard the sound of our Trumpet and Musket they fled to Sea-ward our Canowes chasing them but the enemy being swifter escaped with casting of one of their Canowes which are able to carry twentie men and victuals for ten dayes which Canowe they brought home Within a sennight after our Captaines returne hee made a Voyage in an Indian Canowe hauing Indians to rowe him accompanied only with Thomas Richardson his Refiner of Metals and Iohn Burt his Chirurgion 90. miles by water vp the Riuer of Aracawa to a Nation called the Maurauuas where he traded for Tabacco and Cotton yarne and Cotton-wooll There he left his Chirurgian being sicke and with his Refiner and three Indians whereof one William was his Interpretour went vp to a Nation called Marraias the space of thirtie miles where they passed thorough a goodly Plaine foure miles broad of much stonie ground wherein they saw Deere At length meeting with the people they were kindly entertayned and fed with such as they had as dried Tygres flesh dried Hogges flesh and small fish Then after some discourse they enquired for Gold shewing a Ring An old man spake vnto him and pointed vp into the Countrey and the Captaine asking the Interpreter what he said he told him that he said there was no such that way The Captaine perceiuing the falshood of his Interpretor would goe no further and so returned home where he found vs for the most part sicke and the Indians not so kind vnto vs as they had promised which he much maruelled and grieued at Within three dayes after his returne his shipwright Richard Haward died before hee could make an end of his shallop And in September our Captaine himselfe began to droope partly of griefe to see the weake estate of his people and the ill performance of the Indians promises yet neuerthelesse he ceased not to take order for the Indians bringing in of victuals and such Merchandize as could be gotten as Waxe fine white long Feathers Flaxe Tabacco Parrots Monkeyes greene and blacke Cotton-yarne and Cotton-wooll sweet Gummes red Pepper Vrapo and Apriepo woods Spleene stones matiate stones Roots and Berries which we thought to be medicinable Anato a Berrie or Cod such as the Indians paint themselues red withall mingled with Oyle Vrapo which is the heauie wood whereof they make their Swords and Bowes Apriepo a wood that the Frenchmen and Hollanders fetch away a wood which they call Ayard which they kill fish withall The fishers beate this wood with another piece of wood till it shiuer into flakes which smelleth exceeding strong like Garlicke wherewith in sundry places of the creekes going in according to the depth of the water they beate it vp and downe often in the Riuer which the fish tasting are intoxicated and so distempered with all that they flote and tumble vpon the vpper part of the water and then with Bats and Poles they knocke them on the heads Their bread they make of Cassauia a white Roble commonly a span long and almost so thicke which the women grate in an earthen panne against certaine grates of stone and grate three or foure busshels in a day The iuyce thereof they crush out most carefully beeing ranke poyson raw in a hose of withe which they hang vp vpon an hooke and afterward with a weightie logge which they hang at the other end they squeeze out the water into an earthen pan or piece of a Gourd and then
we had were wonderfull great Insomuch that all the fleete were dispersed and â—ot aboue two ships did hold company together Which put them in great feare lest they shoulâ— haue met with the Hollanders who might with three good ships haue taken all their treaâ—â—re with small adoe for euery little Carauell did put them in feare thinking her to be a man of Warre Vpon 〈…〉 e second day of Februarie 1606. Master Barwicke landed safely thanked bee God at Downes iâ— Kent and gaue me money to bring me to London CHAP. XIIII The Relation of Master IOHN WILSON of Wansteed in Essex one of the last ten that returned into England from Wiapoco in Guiana 1606. CAptaine Charles Leigh and his Brother Sir Olane Leigh did furnish to Sea the good ship called the Phenix with Commodities for the Countrey of Guiana and necessaries for the Voyage with fiftie persons to inhabit Wiapoco of sundry Trades who directing their course towards Wiapoco on the Coast of Guiana which the Spaniards call the Riuer of Canoas arriued on the twentieth of May following where he found a ship of Amsterdam trading with the Indians They perswaded the Indians that our Nation came to inhabit among them only to oppresse them as the Spaniards doe in other parts of the Indies which the Indians themselues confessed vnto Captaine Leigh notwithstanding they offered our Nation no vnkindnesse but vsed them in all the kind manner they could For they prouided whatsoeuer our Company wanted which they could get them In somuch the Gentleman was like to haue done right wel if it had not happened that his Company had not mutined which did partly arise because of the climate which is much hotter then ours And for that they were vnprouided of victuals or other necessaries therefore constrained to liue in such manner as the Indians themselues doe for that they did see at their landing only Mountaynes and Hils couered with Woods And for that the most part of them had beene housholders in England not accustomed vnto such a strange Countrey or Nation nor such a diet for which causes they were so much discontented that they cried to their Captaine home home Thus the Captaine and his whole company was discontented and also the Master of his ship called Martin Prinx who shipped himselfe shortly after their arriuall into the Amsterdamer which they found there whereupon the Captaine placed his Mate Richard Pets of Weymouth to bee Master of the Phenix furnishing him with such victuals as the Countrey affoorded as Cassaui for their bread and Potatoe Roots with fish water and such prouision as they had of their owne aboord appointing Edward Huntly to be their Captaine to goe for England who departed from Wiapoco about the first of Iuly 1605. by whom Captaine Leigh aduertized his Brother Sir Olaue Leigh After whose arriuall Sir Olaue Leigh hee withall speed furnished the aforesaid ship called the Phenix to Sea with Commodities for the Countrey and other necessaries with thirtie men of sundry Trades appointing the aforenamed Richard Pets to be Master and Edward Huntly to bee Captaine they departed from Woollage one the towards Wiapoco who arriued at their Port one the fifteenth of Ianuary following who expected with the rest of their company aboord to haue found the Generall and his company on Land to haue beene in farre better case then they were for that they found them for the most part extreame sickeâ— and some of them dead and presently after their arriuall three or foure men of them died and the Generall himselfe was very weake and much changed which partly proceeded by reason of their great want of victuals for that the Pidians could not at all times prouide them that they wanted And chiefly for that the company were perswaded that the ship would neuer haue returned vnto them againe which plainly appeared amongst them for that at the arriuall of our ship some of them which had not in three monethes time beene a stones cast from their houses came aboord of vs a mile and more from their houses in weake estate which caused very much discontent amongst our fresh water Souldiers aboord and they were the more discontented because they could not aduertize them of any commodities the Country yeelded which would affoord them present benefit insomuch that they wished themselues in England again During which parley our Generall came not aboord of vs for that he was at his house called Mount Howard a mile and more vp into the Land which stood on a hil very pleasantly situated but according to the Country manner by reason that their enemies should not wel find their houses nor suddenly assault them haue there fore very rough passages vnto them inuironed all with Mountaines Woods and Hils Wherefore the Generall sent one Sidney Harrington vnto Captaine Huntly M. Tederington Preacher and to the Master of the ship to land their company in Possession Bay a place which the Indians gaue vnto our Generall and therefore by him so named At whose landing according vnto the Generall his Commission they were all sworne vnto certaine Articles as that they should acknowledge Captaine Charles Leigh to bee their chiefe Generall of Guiana vnder King Iames our King of Great Britaine and that they should not be hurtfull vnto the said Generall his proceedings but to ayde and assist him to their vttermost powers Which being effected our Generall came vnto vs and after kinde salutations hauing taken order for our Lodgings for that time hee departed from vs. The Indians in like manner after their Countrey fashons kindly entertained vs and after further conference had with our Generall hee related at large vnto vs what had happened vnto him and his company in their absence that by reason of his company their discontent and sicknesse they had not trauelled vp into the mayne Land and therfore of his owne knowledge hee could not certifie them of any other commoditie the Countrey did yeeld then such as hee knew of before their departure but the Indians had informed them that there was vp in the Mayne very rich commodities as also Gold and siluer and especially in the Riuer of Caliane where the Caribes inhabit who are enemies vnto our Indians of Wiapoco and so called by them Vpon which information our Generall thought it would haue beene best to haue peaceably traded with the Caribes But our company misliked thereof insomuch that the Generall altered his determination and agreed to ioyne with their friend Indians against the Caribes their enemies Whereof hauing aduertized the chiefest of them they most kindly embraced their offer presently made eight of their Canoas in a readinesse furnishing them with Bread and Drinke and Victuals which for the most part are Crabbes and Fish with some hundred of themselues all naked in their Canoas whome our Generall accompanied with some eight and thirtie of our company leauing the rest to keepe our Shippe and Houses shipping the most part
the Point of Macanao we had sight of the Rangeria which is as it were a little towne contayning in it some fortie or fiftie houses Here wee did not land because wee saw no people but stood it away South South-east and South and by East amongst for the Burdones About mid-night wee came close aboard the shoare by an Iland called Fâ—bacco and then wee sounded and had ground at fortie fathome The third day being Monday morning wee were becalmed some three leagues off from the mayne About twelue at noone the same day wee had sight of Point de Ray. The winde and breeses blew so strongly of the shoare that we could not come to anchor that night to the Burdones These Burdones are no Towne nor hath any houses but belongeth to the Towne of Comana The fourth day being Wednesday at foure in the afternoone wee came to an anchor at the Burdones so that wee were three dayes in getting to the shoare being in sight of it all the while About twelue at mid-night the same day wee put out our sayne-Net into the Sea for to catch some fish And about foure in the morning wee found a great Sword-fish shut into the Net which was fourteene foot long and he had a sword some three foot long The sword is square and blunt at the end hauing great prickles vpon each side of the bignesse of a wilde Bores tuske We sent our Canoa ashoare here to parley with them hauing a flagge of truce The Gouernour of Comana perceiuing our Canoa comming ashoare sent a Molato to parley with our men who saluted them very kindly inquiring of vs what newes in England and whether the Constable of Spaine were gone home into Spaine or no we told him he was gone into Spaine before we set out of England we asked of him what newes in Comana of any English men and when any had beene here hee told them about a moneth agoe and that one of them had like to haue beene taken by a French Pirat if a Flemming had not tooke his part This night there came foure Spaniards aboard our ship from a Caruell which was at an anchor halfe a league from vs. These Spaniards burged with vs some Tabacco and told vs that Captaine Lee had a Towne built for himselfe and that the Pinnasse had beene here a moneth agoe The seuenth of September in the afternoone there came the Aide of Master Eâ—dreds to an anchor in the road where we rode and then we welcommed them with a shot and they gaue vs three for one after these our salutations the Captaine of the Aide called Squire came aboard vs and told vs that Sir Oliph Lee his Pinnasse was come home before they set out of England and that Captaine Lee dyed in the Pinnasse comming into England others of his companie said that they heard he was betrayed and killed in his Hamaca in Wiapoco He also told vs that he had left some thirtie men behind him which were in great miserie and extremitie both for lacke of health and scarcitie of victuals The nineteenth of September Captaine Squire weighed and left vs going for Comonagota The Spaniards dare not trucke with vs for any thing but when that they steale aboard in the night for if that they should be espyed they should be hanged Cloth of Tissue and Gold cloth of Siluer Veluet Sattins Silkes fine woollen cloth and linnen as Cambrick Lawne Holland new Trunkes Pistols Fowling peeces and Muskets are very good commodities to truck with the Spaniards and all other places in the Indies I noted one thing amongst many things concerning the nature of that climate of Comana It is monstrous hot all the day long till it be noone and then there blowes a coole breese and at noone you shall alwayes haue thundering and lightning without any raine for the most part The towne of Comana stands two miles from the Sea-side and cannot be seene by reason of the trees which couer the sight of it but you may see the Gouernours house for it stands vpon the top of a Hill looking ouer the trees which eouer the towne The eight and twentieth of September being Saturday wee espyed seuen faile of Flemmings bound for Ponitra The thirtieth day being Monday we weighed for Loyntra and wee steered away North and North and by West for Ponitra from Camana and about sixe of the clocke in the morning we arriued there safely The fourteenth of October Captaine Catlin and two other Gentlemen went out of our ship vpon some discontentments misliking of the Master of our ships vsagâ— towards them and had their passage in two Hollanders that were riding at Ponitra The fiue and twentieth about eight a clocke at night wee weighed at Ponitra hauing two Flemmish ships our consorts with vs. On the thirtieth we had sight of the Westermost end of Porto Rico called Cape Roxo and of a little Iland some foure leagues off called Echro Here we stayed till Friday and Saturday hoping for to haue gotten the shoare for fresh water and Oranges but we had no winde at all to serue our turnes About Saturday at noone there came vnto vs a Flemmish boat with a dozen men in it these men told vs that vpon Sunday the seuen and twentieth day of this moneth there came nineteene saile of Spaniards and that they had taken all the ships which we left behinde vs in number ten sauing two ships of Captaine Mogerownes which scaped by their swift sayling and that they themselues being ashoare with their Boat made an escape from Ponetra and so came to vs at Porto Rico which is one hundred and threescore leagues where wee refreshed our selues with fresh water and Oranges The ninth of Nouember being Saturday wee disembogued from Porto Rico. The two and twentieth of December we saw Flores one of the Ilands of the Asores CHAP. XVI A Relation of a voyage to Guiana performed by ROBERT HARCOVRT of Stanton Harcourt in the Countie of Oxford Esquire To Prince CHARLES IN the yeere of our Lord 1608. and the 23. of March when I had furnished my selfe with one ship of fourscore tunnes called the Rose a Pinnasse of sixe and thirtie tunnes called the Patience and a Shallop of nine tunnes called the Lilly which I built at Dartmouth and had finished my other business there and prepared all things in readinesse to begin my voyage the winde reasonably seruing I then imbarked my companie as followeth In the Rose I was accompanied with Captaine Edward Fisher Captaine Edward Haruey Master Edward Gifford and my Cousin Thomas Harcourt and besides them I had of Gentlemen and others one and thirtie Land-men two Indians and three and twentie Mariners and Saylers In the Patience my brother Captaine Michael Harcourt had with him of Gentlemen and others twentie Land-men and eleuen Mariners and Saylers In the Lilly Iasper Lilly the Master had one Land-man and two Saylers so that my iust number
blacke and for to keepe water in Cisternes it is not so sure but for the rest as good as the stone in Spaine There wanâ— no Muscles in this Countrie they serue the Indians and the Portugals for Spoones and Kniues they haue a â—aire siluer colour in them is found some seed Pearle there is a small kind of them whereon the Sea-guls doe feed and because they cannot breake them they haue such a naturall instinct that taking them vp into the Aire they let them fall so many times till they breake it and then they eate them The Perewinkles are very tastefull and good in this Countrie and some seed Pearle is found in them and so of the Perewinkles and of the Muscles there is great store of many and sundrie kinds The greatest Wilkes which are called Gâ—â—tapiggâ—â—â—â— that is a great Wilkâ— are much esteemed of the Indians for of them they make their Trumpets Furnitures Beades Brooches Eare-rings and Gloues for the children and they are of such esteeme among them that for one they will giue any one person that they haue captiue and the Portugals gaue in olde time a Crowne for one they are as white as Iuorie and many of them are of two quarters broad and one in length The Piraguaig are also eaten and of the shelles they make their Beades and for so many fathome they gâ—ue a person Of these the Sea casteth vp sometimes great heapes a wonderfull thing Of Wilkes and Skallops there is great quantitie in this Countrie very faire and to bee esteemed of sundrie kinds They find great store of white-stone Corrall vnder water it groweth like small Trees all in leaues and Canes as the red Corrall of India and if this also were so there would be great riches in this Countrie for the great abundance there is of it it is very white it is gotten with difficultie they make lime of it also There are great multitudes of Prawnes because this Coast is almost all enuironed with shelues and Rockes there are also many Sea-ruffes and other Monsters found in the Concauities of the Rockes great Craâ—esses or Crabbes like those of Europe it seemes there bee none in these parts The Mangue Trees are like the Swallowes or Willâ—wes of Europe there is so great quantitie of them in the armes or creeks that the Sea maketh within the Land that many leagues of the Land is of these Trees that are watered with the tides We trauelled I say leagues and whole daies in the Riuers where these Trees are and they are alwaies greene faire and pleasant and of many kinds The wood is good to burne and for to build houses it is very heauie and hard as Iron of the barke they make Inke and it serueth to tanne Leather and they are of many kindes A certaine kind of them doe cast certaine twigs from the top of their length some times as long as a Launce till they come to the water and then they cast many branches and rootes and these branches remaine fast in the earth and while they are greene these twigs are tender and because they are hollow within they make good Flutes of them In these Creekes are a certaine kinde of Gnats called Mareguis as small as Hennes Lice they bite in such sort that they leaue such a Wheale smart and itching that a man cannot helpe himselfe for euen through the clothes they pricke and it is a good penance and mortification to suffer them on a Morning or an Euening there is no other remedie to defend themselues from them but to anoint themselues with dirt or to make a great fire and smoke In these Creekes are many Crabs Oysters and Water Rats and there is one kind of these Rats a monstrous thing for all the day they sleepe and wake all night In these Creekes the Parrets breeds which are so many in number and make such a noise that it seemeth the noise of Sparrowes or Dawes On the Sands they finde great store of Parsley as good and better then that of Portugall whereof also they make Conserues Birds that doe feed and are found in the salt water THe Bird Guiratinga is white of the bignesse of the Cranes of Portugall they are extreame white and haue verie long feete the bill verie cruell and sharpe and verie faire of a verie fine yellow the legges are also verie long betweene Red and Yellow On the necke it hath the finest Plume Feathers that can bee found and they are like the Estridges Feathers of Africa Caripira by another name Forked-tayles are many they are called Forked-tayles because their taile is diuided in the middle the Indians make great account of the Feathers for the feathering of their Arrowes and say that they last long at sometimes they are verie fat the fat is good for the loosenesse These Birds doe vse to bring newes a land of the ships and they are so certaine in this that very seldome they faile for when they are seene ordinarily within twentie or thirtie daies the ships doe come Guaca is properly the Sea-mew of Portugall their ordinarie food are Cockles and because they are hard and they cannot breake them they take them in their bill and letting them fall many times they breake them and eate them of these Sea-mâ—â—â—es there are an infinite number of kinds that the Trees and the strands are full of them Guirateonteon is called in Portugall Scâ—ld-pâ—te it is called Guirâ—â—eâ—ntâ—on that is a Bird that hath deadly accidents and that dieth and liueth againe as though it had the Falling sicknesse and these fits are so great that many times the Indians doe find them along the strands and take them in their hands and thinking they are dead doe fling them away and they assoone as they fall doe rise and flie away they are white and faire and there are other kinds of these that haue the same accidents The Calcaâ—â—r are as bigge as Tuttle-doues or Pigeons the men of the Countrie say that they lay their Egges in the Sea and there they hatch and breed their young they flie not but with their wings and feet they swimme very swiftly they foreshew great calmes and showres and in calme weather they are so many along the shippes that the Mariners cannot tell what to doe they are euen the very spite it selfe and melancholy The Ayâ—yâ— are as bigge as a Pye-â—nâ—et more white thâ—n red they haue a faire colour of whiâ—â— bespotted with red the bill is long and like a Spoone For to catch the fish it hath this â—â—ght it striketh with the foot in the water and stretching out his neck carrieth for the fish and catcheth it and therefore the Indians say it hath humane knowledge The C 〈…〉 ra is small and gray it hath faire eies with a verie faire red circle it hath a strange note for the he that heareth it thinketh it is of a verie great
wee spoke before The women make them gownes or vpper garments of thinne Cotton almost like our clothes which are some part silke which we call Arras or Burschet They weaue in these diuers shapes of Stags Estridges and Indian sheepe according as euery of them is more skilfull in the art of weauing In these garments they sleepe if the Aire happen to be somewhat cold or putting them vnder them they sit vpon them or vse them at their pleasure for other seruices These women are very faire and venerous When we had stayed there foure dayes this pettie King demanded of our Captaine what our puâ—pose was and whether we would goe to whom he made this answere that he sought Gold and Siluer Therefore he gaue him a Crowne of Siluer weighing a pound and an halfe He gaue him also a plate of Gold of a spanne and an halfe long and halfe a spanbroad and certaine other things made cunningly wrought of Siluer and told our Captaine that he had no more Siluer nor Gold And that these thingâ— wherewith he presented him were the spoiles which in time past he had gotten in war against the Amazones That he made mention of the Amazones and of their riches was very pleasing to vs to heare Our Captaine therefore presently demandeth of the King whether we might come to them by Sea or by the Riuer and how much further we had to goe when wee were to take our journey towards them whereunto he answered that we could not goe to them by water but by land and that in two whole moneths journey 37. These women the Amazones haue only one of their pappes their Husbands come vnto them three or foure times in the yeere And if the woman beeing with child by her Husband bring forth a Male child she sendeth him home again to his Father but if it be a Female she keepeth it with her and seareth the right pap of it that it may grow no more which she doth for this purpose that they may be more fit to handle their Weapons and Bowes For they are warlike women making continuall war with their Enemies These women inhabit an Iland that is very large on euery side compassed with water to whom there is no accesse but by Canoas or Boats The Amazones haue neither Gold not Siluer in this Iland but they are reported to haue great Treasures in the firme land which the men inhabit It is a very populous Nation and is said to haue a King called Iegues and the King of Scherues told vs the name of the place Therefore the Captaine Ernandus Riâ—ffiere desired the King of Scherues to ioyne certaine of his men with vs to carry our bagge and baggage for vs and then we would enter the heart of the Country to seeke those Amazones He willingly assenteth thereunto yet in the meane time admonishing vs that the whole Countrie was now ouerflowed with waters and therefore we should haue a very difficult and vneasiy Iourney vnto them and that wee could not easily at this time come vnto them But we would not giue credite to his words but were instant to haue the Indians ioyned with vs. He therefore gaue twentie men to our Captaine for his owne person to carrie his prouision and necessaries and to euery one of vs he gaue fiue Indians to serue vs and carrie that little which we had For wee were to goe eight dayes Iourney wherein wee should not see any Indian But afterward we came to a certaine Nation called Siberis who in their language and other things were like the Scherues Wee were to goe for these eight whole dayes day and night in the water vp to the knees and sometimes reaching as high as the waste nor could we by any meanes get out of them And if we would make fire we were of necessitie to put it vpon a pile or stacke made of great blockes or pieces of wood and it fell out often that when wee were about to boile our meate both the pot and the fire fell into the water so that after that wee were faine to be without our meate And Gnats also troubled and vexed vs day and night so that we could not doe our necessarie worke or businesse Wee therefore demanded of those Siberis whether wee should yet haue any more waters who answered that wee were yet foure dayes to walke in the waters and afterward were to trauell fiue dayes by Land and at length wee should come to a Nation called Orethuisâ—n They signified also vnto vs that wee were too few in number and therefore that wee should returne But the Scherues would not doe this for wee thought rather to send them backe vnto their Towne who had hitherto accompanied vs but they refused to doe it saying they were enioyned by their King not to leaue vs but should continue with vs vntill wee came out of the Countrie againe These Siberis ioyned ten men with vs who together with the Scherues should shew vs the way to the fore-said Orethuisen Wee were yet seuen dayes more to trauell in the waters which were so hot as if they had beene heat vpon the fire which water also hauing no other wee were compelled to drinke But some might peraduenture thinke that it was Riuer water but at that time showres of raine were so common and vsuall that they filled the whole Countrie with water which is altogether very plaine and euen The ninth day we came vnto a certaine Village of the Nation Orethuisen betweene ten and eleuen of the clocke And at twelue of the clocke being come into the middest of the Towne we came vnto the Princes house At that time a cruell and mightie Plague was very hot whereof Famine was the cause for two yeeres together the Gras-hoppers had so eaten and corrupted all manner of Corne and the fruits of trees that almost nothing was left them which they might eate But our Captaine asked the Petie-King of this Nation how many dayes Iourney we yet had to the Amazones from whence he receiueth answere That wee must yet trauell one whole moneth besides that all the Countrie was full of water The King of these Orethuisen gaue our Captaine foure Plates of gold and foure siluer Rings which they put about their armes but the Indians weare the Plates of gold on their foreheads for ornament as our Nobles doe their Chaines or Câ—llars of Esses hanged about their neckes For these things our Captaine gaue the King of the Indians an Hatchet Kniues and Beades or Pater-nosters Barbers Scizzars and such lâ—ke Wee would willingly haâ—e craued more of them but wee durst not attempt it because wee were but few in number so that wee were forced to stand in feare of them For the multitude of these Indians was very great and the Towne huge in so much as I haue not seene any greater or more populous throughout all India For the Towne was very long
West Indies for they are of a russet or gray colour and great speakers §. II. Considerations of Currents the Scorbute fire in Ships Fishes which attend them Sea-hawking and hunting their comming to Brasil and obseruations thereof WIth a faire and large winde we continued our course till we came within fiue degrees of the Equinoctiall line where the winde tooke vs contrary by the South-west about the twentieth of Iuly but a faire gale of winde and a smooth Sea so that wee might beare all a tawt and to aduantage our selues what we might we stood to the Eastwards being able to lye South-east and by South The next day about nine of the clock my company being gathered together to serue God which we accustomed to doe euery morning and euening it seemed vnto me that the colour of the Sea was different to that of the daies past and which is ordinarily where is deepe water and so called the Captaine and Master of my Ship I told them that to my seeming the water was become very whitish and that it made shew of Sholde water Whereunto they made answere that all the lines in our Ships could not fetch ground for we could not be lesse then threescore and ten leagues off the Coast which all that kept reckoning in the Ship agreed vpon and my selfe was of the same opinion And so we applied our selues to serue God but all the time that the seruice endured my heart could not be at rest and still me thought the water began to waxe whiter and whiter Our prayers ended I commanded a leade and a line to be brought and hauing the lead in foureteene fathoms wee had ground which put vs all into a maze and sending men into the top presently discouered the land of Guynne some fiue leagues from vs very low Land I commanded a Peece to be shot and lay by the lee till my other Ships came vp Which hailing vs we demanded of them how farre they found themselues off the land who answered some threescore and ten or fourescore leagues when we told them we had sounded and found but foureteene fathoms and that we were in sight of Land they began to wonder But hauing consulted what was best to be done I caused my Shallop to be manned which I towed at the Sterne of my Shippe continually and sent her and my Pinnace a head to sound and followed them with an easie sayle till we came in seuen and six fathome water and some two leagues from the shore anchored in hope by the Sea or by the Land to finde some refreshing The Sea wee found to be barren of fish and my Boates could not discouer any landing place though a whole day they had rowed alongst the coast with great desire to set foote on shore for that the sedge was exceeding great and dangerous Which experienced we set saile notwithstanding the contrariety of the winde sometimes standing to the West-wards sometimes to the East-wards according to the shifting of the winde Here is to be noted that the errour which we fell into in our accompts was such as all men fall into where are currants that set East or West and are not known for that there is no certain rule yet practised for triall of the longitude as there is of the latitude though some curious and experimented of our Nation with whom I haue had conference about this point haue shewed me two or three manner of wayes how to know it This some yeares before was the losse of the Edward Cotton bound for the coast of Brasil which taken with the winde contrarie neere the line standing to the East-wards and making accompt to be fiftie or sixtie leagues off the coast with all her sailes standing came suddenly a ground vpon the sholes of Madrebomba and so was cast away This currant from the line Equinoctiall to twentie degrees Northerly hath great force and setteth next of any thing East directly vpon the shore which we found by this meanes Standing to the Westwards the winde Southerly when we lay with our Ships head West and by South we gained in our height more then if we had made our way good West South-west for that the currant tooke vs vnder the bow but lying west or West by North we lost more in twelue houres then the other way we could get in foure and twentie By which plainly we saw that the currant did set East next of any thing Whether this currant runneth euer one way or doth alter and how we could by no meanes vnderstand but tract of time and obseruation will discouer this as it hath done of many others in sundry Seas The currant that setteth betwixt New-fonnd-land and Spaine runneth also East and West and long time deceiued many and made some to count the way longer and others shorter according as the passage was speedie or slow not knowing that the furtherance or hinderance of the currant was cause of the speeding or slowing of the way And in Sea Cards I haue seene difference of aboue thirtie leagues betwixt the Iland Tercera and the Maine And others haue recounted vnto me that comming from the Indies and looking out for the Ilands of Azores they haue had sight of Spaine And some haue looked out for Spaine and haue discouered the Ilands The selfe same currant is in the Leuant Sea but runneth trade betwixt the Maines and changeable sometimes to the Eastwards sometimes to the West-wards In Brasil and the South Sea the currant likewise is changeable but it runneth euer alongst the Coast accompanying the winde and it is an infallible rule that twelue or twentie foure houres before the winde alters the currant begins to change In the West Indies onely the currant runneth continually one way and setteth alongst the coast from the Equinoctiall line towards the North. No man hath yet found that these currants keepe any certaine time or runne so many dayes or moneths one way as another as doth the course of ebbing and flowing well knowne in all Seas onely neere the shoare they haue small force partly because of the reflux which the coast causeth and partly for the ebbing and flowing which more or lesse is generall in most Seas When the currant runneth North or South it is easily discouered by augmenting or diminishing the height but how to know the setting of the currant from East to West in the maine Seas is difficult and as yet I haue not knowne any man or read any Author that hath prescribed any certaine meane or way to discouer it But experience teacheth that in the maine Sea for the most part it is variable and therefore best and safest rule to preuent the danger which the vncertaintie and ignorance hereof may cause is carefull and continuall watch by day and night and vpon the East and West course euer to be before the Ship and to vse the meanes possible to know the errour by the rules which
que por esto no seauisto permitirles ni darseles licencia paraque de aqui adelante puedan sin nuestra expressa y particular licencia nauegar tratar y contratar enla dicha carrera y que si lo hesieren demas de incurrir en las penas contenidas en nuestras leyes ordenanças cartas y prouisiones este pardon y gracia sea y ayadeser ninguno y de ningun valor y effecto y mandamos alos del nostro conseio delas Indias y alos nostros Iuezes y Officiales de la cas◠dela contratacion y a otras quales quier Iuezes y Iusticias que assilo guarden y cumplan fecha enel monastero de Sanct Lorenço el real a diez dias del mes de Agusto anno del Sennor de mill y quinien tos y setenta y vn annos YEL REY Por mandado de su Mag. S. Antonio Gracian V. Md. perdone a Iuano Aquins Ingles y a sus companneros le pena enque incurrienzo porauer nauegado y contratado enlas Indeas contra las ordenes de V. Md. CHAP. VII A briefe Relation of an Englishman which had beene thirteene yeeres Captiue to the Spaniards in Peru c. THe eleuenth of October 1602. we departed from the Citie of Lyma and that day wee set sayle from the Calloa in the Contadora Captaine Andrea Brocho The fifteenth of October wee came into Payta and there watered and tooke in fresh victuals and set sayle from thence the foure and twentieth of the same for Mexico 1602. The fourteenth of December we came to an anchor in Acapulca we were becalmed in 17. degrees and an halfe foure and twentie dayes and were set with the current into 23. degrees to the Northward we came all the coast alongst from Colyma and Nauydad to Acapulca The twentieth of December we came from Acapulca with sixe Mules and on Christmas Day in the morning we came to Zumpanga a Towne of Indians where wee remayned all that day being betweene this Towne and Acapulca thirtie leagues no Towne betwixt The last of December wee came to Querna vaca a Towne in the Marquesado of Hernan Cortes thirteene leagues from Mexico The first of Ianuarie we came into the great Citie of Mexico where we remayned vntill the seuenteenth at which time we came from Mexico in the euening and came two leagues that night The next day we came to Irazing which is seuen leagues from Mexico where wee remayned two dayes The fiue and twentieth of Ianuarie wee came to Pueblo de los Angelos passing in our way the Vulcan being from Mexico twentie leagues and thorow Chullula The thirtieth of Ianuarie I went to Atrizco where we were sixe dayes being fiue leagues from Mexico The sixteenth of Februarie we came from the Pueblo de los Angelos with fourteene Carts fiue or sixe temes of Oxen in a Cart for to come to the Citie of Vera cruz The seuenth of March 1603. wee came into the Vera cruz the new Towne where wee remayned vntill the eight of Aprill staying for a ship of aduise Tuesday the eight of Aprill we set sayle from Saint Iuo de Ullua in a Barque of aduise called the Saint Lazaro the Captaines name was Diego Garces being of the burden of thirtie tunnes the Pilot named Diego Vyedall we were eight and twentie persons 1603. The nine and twentieth of Aprill we had sight of the Martyrs and were in two fathomes water off them we saw no more nor no other while we fell with Alla Rocha in Barbarie which was the 14. of Iune The sixteenth of Iune wee had sight of Chiprone and Cales that night we came into S. Lucar The seuenteenth of Iune in the morning the Kings Officers came aboord of vs for the Kings Letters and the Letters of the Mexico Fleet where I heard newes of our good Queene Elizabeths death and our King Iames his comming to the Crowne in peace Heere I was discharged and had my libertie giuen me so I went to Syuill the nineteenth day where I remayned vntill the one and twentieth of September at which time I came to Wellua in the Condado The fift of Nouember I came from Wellua in the George of London Master Iuano Whary the ship was Master Hangers I arriued at the Reculluers the seuenth of December 1603. being since my departure from England thirteene yeeres and nine moneths of captiuitie for the which the Lord be praised and make me thankfull all the dayes of my life Amen CHAP. VIII The Relation of ALEXANDRO VRSINO concerning the coast of Terra Firma and the secrets of Peru and Chili where he had liued foure and thirtie yeeres THe first Towne inhabited of the Spaniards is Saint Iohn in the I le of Porto ricco it is a very poore Towne They haue no Bread but in stead thereof they vse a certaine Roote called Cazaue There is in the Towne about sixtie Spaniards and a Fort. In Saint Domingo there is a very strong Fort with aboue eightie great Peeces of Ordnance It is one of the fairest Cities in all the Indies there are aboue seuen hundred Spaniards in it It is a Bishoprike There is next the Towne of Monte Christo wherein there are about eightie Spaniards There is a small Fort. Then Ocoa which is a very good Port where the Fleete both comming and going doe put in for fresh water and wood and other necessaries Then Porto de Plata a small Towne with a little Fort about seuentie or eightie Spaniards Porto Reale a dishabited Towne but a very good Port. There is nothing else in the I le of Spagnola of any importance There are aboue 22000. Negros men and women slaues From Saint Domingo to Iamaica an hundred leagues in this I le there is but one Towne which standeth three leagues within the Land There are in it about fiftie Spaniards In all these places they make Sugar in great abundance but especially at Saint Domingo there are aboue eightie Ingenios or Sugar-houses They haue neither Siluer nor Gold They eate of the foresaid Roote for Bread in euery place The I le of Spaniola is inhabited onely by the Spaniards there is not one Naturall of the Countrey From Iamaica to Cartagena one hundred leagues This Cartagena is a faire Citie a very strong Fort in the Hauen mouth and Artilerie in three parts of the Towne A Bishoprike They haue neither Siluer nor Gold there are about 150. Spaniards Next to this is Tulu inhabited of the Spaniards about fortie or fiftie it is eighteene leagues from Cartagena alongst the coast Then Santa Martha a Citie with a small Fort about 100. Spaniards there they gather great quantity of Gold very fine they are a fierce people Santa Martha is fiftie leagues from Cartagena longst the same coast Vpon the same coast is Nombre de dios about seuentie leagues from Cartagena they haue no Fort but vpon the hauen
to burne him aliue by the command of the Gouernour but he said he would be a Christian whereupon after Baptisme thâ—y strangled him that night and the Countrey was quiet The Gouernour made the eldest Sonne of old Cusco Lord of the Countrey which caused great ioy to the Natiues Wee arriued in Siuil Ianuary the fifteenth 1534. CHAP. XVL. The Conquest of Peru and Cusco called New Castile and directed to the Emperour by FRANCISCO de XERES Secretary to Captaine FRANCIS PIZARRO which conquered them FRancis Pizarro liued in Panama which the Gouernor Pedrarias de Auila had peopled He was Sonne of Captaine Gonzalo Pizarro of Trugillo hee obtained licence of Pedrarias to goe vpon new discoueries and hauing bestowed a good part of his estate in a Ship and necessaries he departed from Panama Nouember the foureteenth 1524. with one hundred and twelue Spaniards and some Indians seuentie daies after they went on land which after they named Of Hunger with eightie men the rest being dead and sent the Ship to the Iland of Pearles neere Panama for victuals hoping of their returne in twelue dayes which continued forty seuen they liuing on the Seas wilde prouisions meane whiles whereby twenty dyed and the rest were very weake A Cow hide which they had for seruice of the Ship they had shared amongst them and eaten before the Ship returned Then did they proceede on the Voyege and came to a Towne which the inhabitants had forsaken where they found store of prouisions and the next day the Countrie people set on them easily ouerthrew ours being weake gaue the Captaine seuen wounds very dangerous and left him for dead slew fiue and wounded seuenteene of the rest whereupon they returned for Panama and he staied at Chuchama to refresh and cure himselfe A little before Diego de Almagro his companion was gone for his succour with a Ship and seuenty men and landing at the place where Pizarro was beaten was there assaulted and lost one of his eyes many Christians were wounded but for all that they fired the towne and put the enemy to flight sailing thence they came to a great Riuer which they called Saint Iohns and found there some shew of Gold and returned and found Pizarro in Chuchama Almagro was sent to Panama where Pedrarias misliked and crossed this designe which had proued hitherto so vaine but he with much adoe returned with one hundred and ten men to Pizarro with whom fiftie of the former remained of both companies one hundred thirty being dead In two Ships they set forth and spent three yeares in great trauell hunger killed the most of them that fiftie onely remained not finding neuerthelesse any good Countrie Then it was their hap to finde great hopes of Gold and riches comming to Cancebi and tooke six men to learne their language Almagro was sent for more men to Panama whiles Pizarro staied at Cock-Iland But some had written to the Gouernour to be freed from thence The Gouernour sent licence to those which would onely sixteene staied there with Pizarro fiue moneths till the Ship returned and then on the last day of the time granted them hauing made better discouery ariued at Panama Pizarro was sent into Spaine to get graunt of the Countrey which in large Commission hee obtained and after his returne departed from Panama with three Ships and 180. men and 37. Horse In thirteene dayes he arriued at the Port of Saint Matthew which was as much as before he could doe in two yeares and landing there found all the Country in armes They marched till they came to a great towne called Coache which they suddenly assaulted and there got in Gold to the value of 15000. Castellines and 750. pounds of Siluer and many Emeralds which they then knew not and therefore for small trifles exchanged them with the Indians Thence the Gouernour sent backe for men and horse to Panama and Nicaragua He went with his Spaniards to the Isle Puna rich and populous which subiected themselues and because it was winter staid there Those Indians rebelled and raised forces Hee tooke the Cacique hauing vnderstanding hereof and made great slaughter of the Ilanders and hauing beheaded ten principall men he set free the Cacique to call together the Ilanders which had fled to Tumbez Pizarro went thence to Tumbez where he found the Indians in armes Three which had gone in the Boates were robbed and slaine but Tumbez and many other places rued it May 16. 1532. he departed from Tumbez and was well receiued in many places to which he gaue notice that he came to bring them in subiection to the Emperor and to the knowledge of the holy Catholik faiâ—h to which many of the Caciques yeelded Comming to a good Riuer which he found to haue a good Port he planted a Colonie sixe leagues from the Sea and called it Saint Michaels At Chira he found that the Cacique of that Towne and another of Almotaxe had conspired to kill certaine Christians hee tooke them both with their chiefe men and burned them aliue sparing the Cacique himselfe of Chira whose fault was left and giuing him Almotaxe also This execution was dreadfull to the whole Country There he shared the Gold which the Caciques and the men of Tumbez had giuen them and paid the Marriners their fraight He departed thence the foure and twentieth of September 1532. hauing newes of Atabalipa at Caxamalca 55. abode at Saint Michaels and with the Gouernor remained 62. horsemen and 102. footmen As he marched he receiued better intelligence of Atabalipa and of Cusco in which old Cusco lay interred in a place which had the roofe and wals couered with Gold and Siluer Hee sent a Captaine to Caxas and Gâ—â—camba with certaine horse and foote He learned of the way which he passed betwixt these two townes the latter of which had a faire stone Castle that it reacheth from Cusco to Quito aboue 300 leagues so broad that six hâ—rsemen may ride abrest with water passages all alongst for trauellers to drinke and houses for their lodging euery dayes iournie with this Captaine returned an Indian with a present from Atabalipa of two Fountaines of stone and two bâ—rtnens of dried Ducks which is the fashion of that Country signifying his great desire to see the Gouernour at Caxamalca All the way from the Riuer of Saint Michaels to Chineha is a Vallie well peopled hath the way made by hands walled on both sides with trees in many places set for shadow made by old Cusco The people liue much after one manner They sacrifice their children and sprinkle the bloud on their Sepulchers and daube their Idols faces therewith Their sacrifices goe dancing and singing to their death The Temples are compassed with stone wals and seated in the highest part of the Citie He sent an Indian messenger to Atabalipa with words of greatest kindenesse Leauing the Chincha way he tooke that which goeth
stead of Ockam for the Boats And we vsed so great diligence therein that beginning the fourth of August the twentieth of September next fiue Boates were finished of two and twenty Cubits a piece and we stopped the chinkes and calking with Ockam of the Palmiti and pitched them with a certaine Gumme which a Grecian called Don Theodoro brought from certaine Pine-trees and with the same barke of the Palmiti and of the traines and haire of Horses we made cordage and tackling and made sayles of out shirts and of the Sauine trees which were there we made such Oares as we thought necessary and such was that Countrey whereinto our sinnes conducted vs that no stones were found there to ballast the Boates nor saw wee any throughout all that Countrey Wee likewise flayed the whole legges of horses and sewed the skinne together to make bottles to carrie water In this meane time some of our men went to gather Tamarindi in the strond of the Sea where the Indiâ—â—s at two seuerall times wherein they incountred them slue ten Christians so neere to our Tents that we saw them and could not helpe them and found them shot through from side to side with Arrowes so that although our men had excellent Armour they were not able to resist their strokes those Indians shooting with such dexteritie and force as aforesaid And our Pilots said and swore that from the flat shoare which we called by the name of the Crosse vnto this place we had gone about two hundred and fourescore leagues little more or lesse and in all that Countrey we saw no Mountaines nor had any notice by any meanes that there were any and before that we imbarked besides those which the Indians had slaine there were more then forty other men dead through sicknesse and famine The two and twentieth day of September they ceased to eate horses so that only one remayned and on that day wee imbarked in this order In the Gouernours Boate went nine and fortie men and in the other which hee gaue to the Auditour and Commissary went as many more The third he gaue to Captaine Alonzo del Castiglio and Andrea Durante with eight and forty men and another he gaue vnto two other Captaines the one called Telles and the other Pigualosa with seuen and forty men and the fift he gaue to the Controuler and mee with nine and forty men And after the victuals and furniture and other things were shipped they arose no more then a fourth part aboue the water and beside this we were so streighted that we could not guide nor turne in the Boats Necessitie was so powerfull that it made vs aduenture to goe in this manner and commit our selues vnto so dangerous a Sea without hauing any one among vs who knew the art of Nauigation That flat shoare from whence we departed is called the shoare of the Horses and we went seuen dayes through those gulfes with the water vp to the girdle without seeing any signe of the Coast and at the end of those seuen dayes we arriued at an Iland which standeth neere vnto the Land My Boat went before and we saw fiue Canowes of Indians comming who forsooke them all and left them in our hands seeing vs come towards them Our other Boates went before and lighted vpon certane houses in the same Iland where they found many of their Egges and Thorn-back were dry and greatly releeued vs in the necessitie wherein we were After this we went further and two leagues from thence we passed a Strait which that Iland maketh with the Land and called it the Strait of Saint Michael because we passed it vpon that holy day Being gotten out of that Strait wee arriued at the Coast where with the fiue Canowes which I had taken from the Indians we remooued some things out of our Boats making them fast and ioyning them to ours so that they arose two handfuls aboue water and therewithall we turned to goe along the Coast by the way of the Riuer of Palmes thirst and famine alwayes increasing because the victuals were very scant and almost at an end and we wanted water because the bottles which we had made of the skinnes of horses became suddenly putrified and mustie and were good for nothing and many times wee entred into certaine gulfes and flat shoares which went farre within the Land and found them all shallow and dangerous And so we went thirty dayes and sometimes found some Indian fishers a poore and miserable people and at the end of these thirty dayes when our necessitie for want of water was extreame going to the Coast one night we perceiued a Canow comming and seeing her wee expected that she would haue arriued but although we called vnto her she would not come nor behold vs and because it was night we followed her not but held on our course When day began to appeare we saw a small Iland and went thither to see if wee could find any water there but wee laboured in vaine because there was none While wee stayed there a mightie tempest arose vpon vs whereupon we abode there sixe dayes not daring to put out to Sea againe and hauing passed fiue dayes without drinking our thirst was so great that we were forced to drinke the Sea-water and some dranke so largely that fiue of our men dyed suddenly We went out the same way which we had seene the Canow goe the night before we departed thence This day we saw our selues many times drowned and so cast away that there was none of vs who did not assure himselfe of death But it pleased our Lord God who in the greatest necessities vseth to shew his fauour that about Sunne set we weathered a point which the Land maketh where wee found it very calme and quiet Heere many Canowes came towards vs and the Indians that were in them spake vnto vs and without wondring at vs returned They were a people of a great bodie and well set and carried neither Bowes nor Arrowes Some of vs followed them vnto their houses which stood neere vnto the water side and leaped aland and before the entrance of the houses we found many pots of water and great quantitie of fish and the Lord of that Countrey offered it all vnto the Gouernour and taking him by the hand brought him to his house their houses are of Mats very well made And after we entred into the house of their Cazique or Lord he gaue vs much fish and we gaue them bread of Corne which we brought and they eat it in our presence and demanded more which we gaue them and the Gouernour gaue the Cazique many small trifles and abiding with him in his house about halfe an houre within night the Indians assaulted vs and the rest of our men who road very ill beeing cast vpon that Coast they assaulted also the house of the Cazique where the Gouernour was and with a stone smote
ouer and that passing those Riuers which are foure and very great the many currents tooke the Boat wherewith they went to Sea and foure of them were drowned the rest with much labour passed the Gulfe and that fifteene leagues further they found another and as soone as they met together there two of their companions died in the time that they had trauelled sixtie leagues and that all the rest were yet at the point of death and that all that iournie they had eaten nothing but Creuises and Herbs of the wall and comming to this last Gulfe they said that they found Indians who stood eating of Mulberies who when they saw the Christians they went vnto the other end and so they standing still and deuising meanes to passe the Gulfe an Indian and a Christian came vnto them and being come they knew it was Figheroa one of the foure we had sent before from the Iland of Malhado who recounted vnto them in what manner he and his companions came to that place where two of them and one Indian died all through cold and famine because they were come thither in the hardest time of the yeere and that the Indians had taken Figheroa himselfe and Mâ—ndes which Mendes fled afterwards trauelling the best hee could towards Paâ—â—co and that the Indians followed after him and slue him And that abiding thus with those Indians hee vnderstood that with the Marianes there was a Christian who had passed to the other side and he found him with them whom they call Queuenes Which Christian was Gernando d' Esquiuel a Natiue of Badaioa who came in the company of the Commissary and that from Esquiuell hee vnderstood what end the Gouernour had together with the Auditor and the rest telling them how the Auditor and the Friers had lanched their Boat into the Riuers and comming along the Coast the Gouernour landed his people and went with his Boat vntill they came vnto that great Gulfe where he turned to take in his men and passe ouer to the other side and returned for the Auditor and the Friers and all the rest And he declared that being thus imbarked the Gouernour reuoked the authoritie of his Lieutenant which the Auditor had and gaue that charge vnto a Captaine that went with him called Pantossa And that the Gouernor stayed that night in his Boat would not come on Land and the Master abode with him and one Page who was not well and they had neither water nor any thing to eate in the Boat so about midnight so hard a gale of winde from the North tooke them that it droue the Boat into the Sea before any one saw it for he had nothing to releeue him but one flint stone and they knew not that he had any other thing besides And when the men who remained on the land saw this they went along the Coast and finding the water so rough they made floats with much trouble and paines and so passed ouer vnto the other side And going further they came to the point of an Hill at the water side and found Indians there who when they saw them comming put their things into their Canowes and passed ouer to the other side of the Coast. So the Christians seeing what the time was being in Nouember abode in that Mountaine because they found water wood and certaine Creuises there where through cold and famine by little and little they beganne to die And beside this Pantossa who remained Lieutenant vsed them very ill and not being able to indure it the Sergeant Maior Brother of Vasquez Porealle who came in the fleete from Cuba Master of the Campe reuolted from Pantossa and smote him with a piece of wood with the which blow hee died and such as died became the morsels of the other and the last that died was the Sergeant Maior and Esquiuel did the like and eating him maintained himselfe vntill the first of March that an Indian one of them who fled from thence came to see if they were all dead and after brought Esquiuel away from thence with him who being in subiection to this Indian Figheroa spake with him and vnderstood all this of him which wee haue before declared and prayed him to come with him that they might goe together towards Pamico but Esquiuel would not doe it saying that hee vnderstood by Friers that Pamico was behind them and so he remained there and Figheroa went to the Coast where he vsed to abide All this Figheroa reported vnto vs by the relation which Esquiuel made vnto him and so from hand to hand it came vnto me Whereby hee might see and know the end which all that fleete had and the particular mischances which happened to euerie one of the rest And hee further said that if the Christians at any time should goe through those parts it might bee that they should see Esquiuel bâ—cause hee knew that hee was fled from that Indian with whom hee abode vnto the other which are called Marianes who were their Neighbours And so hauing ended his Discourse he and Asturiano were about to goe vnto the other Indians that were further beyond but those Indians who kept them perceiuing them went forth and came to giue them many Bastinadoes and spoiled Asturianâ— and wounded him on the arme with an Arrow but yet in the end they fled and the other Christians remained and procured those Indians to take them for slaues although abiding with them and seruing them they were as euilly intreated as euer any slaues were or other men of the World Because of sixe which they were not being contented continually to buffet and â—udgell them and plucke off their beards with the skinne only for their pastime and recreation and only for going from one house to another they killed three who are those of whom I spoke before to wit Diego Dorante Ualdeuiesso and Diego de Helua and the other three that remained expected that they also should make the like end and not being able to indure that life Andrea Dorantes fled to the Marianes who were they with whom Esquiuel abode and they themselues reporâ—ed that they had kept Esquiuel there who afterward would haâ—e fled because a woman had dreamed that hee should kill a childe of hers the Indians pursued him and slue him and they afterward shewed Andrea Dorante his Sword Crowne Booke and other things which he had They haue this custome also euen to kill the same male children while they sleepe and when the female children are borne they leaue them for the Dogs to eate and cast them away in those places And the reason why they doe it is this because they say that all they of the Countrey are their enemies and make very great warres with them Wherefore if by chance they should marrie their Daughters their enemies should be the more increased who would subiect them and hold them all in captiuitie And for this cause they would rather kill them then haue any
Wester part is not passing a mile at most altogether vnpeopled and disinhabited It is ouer-growne with Wood and Rubbish viz. Okes Ashes Beech Wal-nut Weech-halse Sassafrage and Cedars with diuers other of vnknowne names The R 〈…〉 sh is wild Peaze young Sassafrage Cherie trees Vines Eglentine Goose-berie bushes Hawâ—â—orne Honisuckles with others of like qualitie The herbs and Roots are Strawberies Raspis Ground Nuts Alexander Surrin Tansie c. without count Touching the fertilitie of the soyle by our owne experience made we found it to be excellent for sowing some English pulse it sprowted out in one fortnight almost halfe a foot In this Iland is a stage or Pond of fresh water in circuit two miles on the one side not distant from the Sea thirtie yards in the Centre whereof is a Rockie Islet contayning neere an Acre of ground full of wood on which wee beganne our Fort and place of abode disposing it selfe so fit for the same These Indians call Gold Wassador which argueth there is thereof in the Countrey The nine and twentieth we laboured in getting of Sassafrage rubbishing our little Fort or Islet new keeling our shallop and making a Punt or Flat bottome Boate to passe to and fro our Fort ouer the fresh water the powder of Sassafrage in twelue houres cured one of our Company that had taken a great Surfet by eating the bellies of Dog-fish a very delicious meate The thirtieth Captaine Gosnoll with diuers of his company went vpon pleasure in the shallop towards Hills Hap to view it and the Sandie Coue and returning brought with him a Canoa that foure Indians had there left being fled away for feare of our English which we brought into England The one and thirtieth Captaine Gosnoll desirous to see the Maine because of the distance hee set sayle ouer where comming to anchor went ashoare with certaine of his companie and immediatly there presented vnto him men women and children who with all curteous kindnesse entertayned him giuing him certaine skinnes of wilde beasts which may be rich Furres Tobacco Turtles Hempe artificiall Strings câ—â—oured Chaines and such like things as at the inâ—â—ant they had about them These are a faire conditioned people On all the Sea coast along we found Mussell shells that in colour did represent Mother-of-pearle but not hauing meanes to dredge could not apprehend further knowledge thereof This Maine is the goodliest Continent that euer we saw promising more by farre then we any way did expect for it is replenished with faire fields and in them fragrant Flowers also Medowes and hedged in with stately Groues being furnished also with pleasant Brookes and beautified with two maine Riuers that as wee iudge may haply become good Harbours and conduct vs to the hopes men so greedily doe thirst after In the mouth of one of these Inlets or Riuers lieth that little I le before mentioned called Happes Hill from which vnto the Westermost end of the Maine appearing where the other Inlet is I account some fiue leagues and the Coast betweene bendeth like a Bow and lyeth East and by North. Beyond these two Inlets we might perceiue the Mayne to beare vp South-west and more Southerly Thus with this taste of Discouery we now contented our selues and the same day made returne vnto our Fort time not permitting more sparing delay The first of Iune we employed our selues in getting Sassafrage and the building of our Fort. The second third and fourth we wrought hard to make readie our house for the prouision to bee had ashore to sustaine vs till our ships returne This day from the Mayne came to our ships side a Canoa with their Lord or chiefe Commander for that they made little stay only pointing to the Sunne as in signe that the next day hee would come and visit vs which hee did accordingly The fifth wee continued our labour when there came vnto vs ashoare from the Mayne fiftie Sauages stout and lustie men with their Bowes and Arrowes amongst them there seemed to be one of authoritie because the rest made an inclining respect vnto him The ship was at their comming a league off and Captaine Gosnoll aboord and so likewise Captaine Gilbert who almost neuer went ashoare the company with me only eight persons These Indians in hastie manner came towards vs so as we thought fit to make a stand at an angle betweene the Sea and a fresh water I mooued my selfe towards him seuen or eight steps and clapt my hands first on the sides of mine head then on my breast and after presented my Musket with a threatning countenance thereby to signifie vnto them either a choice of Peace or Warre whereupon hee vsing mee with mine owne signes of Peace I stept forth and imbraced him his company then all sate downe in manner like Grey-hounds vpon their heeles with whom my company fell a bartering By this time Captaine Gosnoll was come with twelue men more from aboord and to shew the Sauage Seignior that he was our Captaine we receiued him in a guard which he passing thorow saluted the Seignior with ceremonies of our salutations whereat he nothing mooued or altered himselfe Our Captaine gaue him a straw Hat and a paire of Kniues the Hat awhiles hee wore but the Kniues he beheld with great maruelling being very bright and sharpe this our courtesie made them all in loue with vs. The sixt being raine we spent idlely aboord The seuenth the Seignior came againe with all his troupe as before and continued with vs the most part of the day we going to dinner about noone they sate with vs and did eate of our Bacaleure and Mustard dranke of our Beere but the Mustard nipping them in their noses they could not indure it was a sport to behold their faces made being bitten therewith In time of Dinner the Sauages had stolne a Target wherewith acquainting the Seignior with feare and great trembling they restored it againe thinking perhaps we would haue beene reuenged for it but seeing our familiaritie to continue they fell a fresh to roasting of Crabs Red Herrings which were exceeding great ground Nuts c. as before Our Dinner ended the Seignior first tooke leaue and departed next all the rest sauing foure that stayed and went into the Wood to helpe vs digge Sassafrage whom we desired to goe aboord vs which they refused and so departed The eighth wee diuided the victuals viz. the ships store for England and that of the Planters which by Captaine Gilbert allowance could be but sixe weekes for sixe moneths whereby there fell out a controuersie the rather for that some seemed secretly to vnderstand of a purpose Captaine Gilbert had not to returne with supplie of the issue those goods should make by him to be carried home Besides there wanted not ambitious conceits in the mindes of some wrangling and ill disposed persons that ouerthrew the stay there at that time which vpon consultation thereof had about fiue dayes after was
by West The eight wee kept the same course The ninth we kept still the same course The winde beganne to vere some thing to the Southward which had beene constant still from the Ilands of the Canaries vnto the Ilands of the West Indies And now began the winde to draw towards the West and then is it as constant there The reason I deferre to longer consideration The current setteth out of the Gulfe of Mexico and from the mayne shore Sunday the tenth we kept still the same course and had now but a small gale almost becalmed The eleuenth we continued the same course with the same small gale we went North. Tuesday the twelfth we kept the same course if any at all for for the most part we were becalmed Wednesday the thirteenth the calme continued the Sunne being extremely hot in the calme Thursday the fourteenth the calme continued as hot as before These dayes we ayred our Newland fish called Poore Iohn which proued ill done For after it was ayred it rotted the sooner being burnt in the same On Friday the fifteenth God sent vs a reasonable gale The sixteenth and seuenteenth the calme came againe Munday we had a good gale and went North and by West and North North-west The nineteenth twentieth and one and twentieth we had an excellent gale and ranne North North-west Then we cast out the Lead and looked out for land but found no ground nor saw no land and therefore we much doubted that the current had set vs very farre to the leeward of the place which wee were bound for being the Chesepian Bay but that could not be knowne till it pleased God to bring vs to land In the afternoone about sixe of the clocke we cast out the Lead againe and had ground in thirtie fathomes whereof we were glad and thanked God knowing we could not be farre from land Saturday the three and twentieth in the morning about eight of the clocke wee saw land in the height of 40. degrees and odde minutes very fine low land appearing farre off to bee full of tall Trees and a fine sandie shoare but a great siege we saw no Harbour and therefore coasted along to seeke one to the Northward the wind being at West Sunday the foure and twentieth the wind being about the North-east we beat hard to fetch an Head-land where we thought we saw an Harbour but when we came vp with it wee perceiued it was none and all our labour lost And therefore the wind beeing now more full in our teeth at the North-east wee considered it were better to put roome so that if the winde should stand then we should fetch the Bay of Chesepian which Master Gilbert so much thirsted after to seeke out the people for Sir Walter Raleigh left neere those parts in the yeere 1587. if not perhaps we might find some Road or Harbour in the way to take in some fresh water for now wee had none aboord On Munday the fiue and twentieth of Iuly at night wee came neere the mouth of the Bay but the wind blew so sore and the Sea was so high that the Master durst not put in that night into the Sea and so continued next day On Wednesday the seuen and twentieth at night the winde came faire againe and wee bare againe for it all night and the wind presently turned againe Thursday the eight and twentieth considering our extremitie for water and wood victuals and beere likewise consuming very fast we could no longer beate for it and therefore ran roomer determining for this time to seeke it no more Friday the nine and twentieth being not farre from the shoare which appeared vnto vs exceeding pleasant and full of goodly Trees and with some shew of the entrance of a Riuer our Captaine Baxtholomew Gilbert accompanied with Master Thomas Canner a Gentleman of Bernards Inne Richard Harison the Masters Mate Henry Kenton our Chirurgion and one Derricke a Dutchman went on shore in the Boate from the ship which lay aboue a mile from the land and with their weapons marched vp into the Countrey leauing two youths to keepe the Boate but shortly after the Indians set vpon them and one or two of them fell downe wounded in sight of our yong men that kept the Boat which had much a doe to saue themselues and it For some of the Indians roming downe to them would haue haled it on shore which notwithstanding they saued and with heauie hearts gat vnto the ship with the losse of their Captain and foure of their principall men Thus being but eleuen men and Boyes in all in the ship though our want of water and wood were great yet wee durst not aduenture the losse of any more of our small company in this place Therefore our Master Henry Sute tooke his course home for England by the Iâ—es of the Açores and fell first with the Pike and afterward entring into our Chanell had first sight of Portland and thence came vp the Riuer of Thames vnto Rateliffe about the end of September 1603. finding the Citie most grieuously infected with a terrible plague CHAP. XIII Extracts of a Virginian Voyage made An. 1605. by Captaine GEORGE WAYMOVTH in the Arch-angell Set forth by the Right Honorable HENRY Earle of South-hampton and the Lord TMOMAS ARVNDEL written by IAMES ROSIER VPon Easter day the last of March the winde comming at North North-east about fiue of the clocke after noone we weighed anchor and put to Sea from the Downes in the Name of God being very well victualled and furnished with Munition and all necessaries our whole companie being nine and twenty persons of whom I dare boldly say few Voyages haue beene manned forth with better Sea-men generally in respect of our small number Munday the thirteenth of May about eleuen of the clocke in the fore-noone our Captaine iudging we were not farre from Land sounded and we had soft oze in an hundred and sixty fathome at foure of the clocke after noone wee sounded againe and had the like oze in an hundred fathome From ten a clocke that night till three a clocke in the morning our Captain tooke in all Sayles and lay at hull being desirous to fall with the Land in the day time because it was an vnknown Coast which it pleased God in his mercy to grant vs otherwise surely we had runne our Shippe vpon the hidden Rockes and perished all for when we set sayle we sounded in an hundred fathom and by eight a clocke hauing not made aboue fiue or sixe leagues our Captaine vpon a sudden change of water supposing verily he saw the sand presently sounded and had but fiue fathome much maruelling because we saw no Land he sent one to the top who descried a whitish sandy Clisse which bare West North-west about sixe leagues off but comming neerer within three or foure leagues we saw many breaches still neerer the Land At last we espied a great
breach ahead vs right along the shoare into which before we entred our Captaine thought best to hoise out his Ship-boat and sound it which if hee had not done wee had there ended our Voyage together with our liues for he bare vp the Ship as neere as he could after the Boate vntill Master Cam his Mate being in the Boat weffed and called to him to winde about and stand off for in this breach he had very shoald water two fathome vpon Rockes and sometime they supposed they saw the Rocke within three or foure foot whereon the Sea made a very high strong breach which we might discerne from the top to runne along as wee sayled by it sixe or seuen leagues to the Southward and we saw no end thereof Wherefore we were constrained to put backe againe from the Land and sounding the weather being faire wee found our selues embayed with continuall Shoalds and Rocks in a most vncertaine ground as by iudgement of our Captaine and whole companie they had neuer knowne the like from fiue and sixe fathome at the next cast of the Lead wee should haue fifteene and eighteene fathome all hard Rocke ouer many which by the vnspeakable goodnesse and mercy of God towards vs wee passed For if we had bare in with it but the day before which was exceeding tempestuous or in the night we could by no meanes haue escaped the danger But God so blessed vs that we had weather and winde as faire as poore men could wish in this distresse whereby we both perfectly discerned euery breach and with the winde were able to turne where wee saw most hope of safest passage Thus we parted from the Land which wee had not so much before desired and at the first sight reioyced as now wee all ioyfully praised God that it had pleased him so miraculously to deliuer vs from so imminent danger of death before our eyes Our Captaine found himselfe in the latitude of 41. degrees and an halfe Here we found great store of fish and saw many Whales as we had done two or three dayes before Wee stood off that night and all the next day being Wednesday but the winde still continuing for many dayes betweene the points of South South-west and West South-west so as we could not by any possible meanes make any way to the Southward in regard of our great want of water and Wood which was now spent wee much desired Land and therefore sought for it where the winde would best suffer vs to refresh our selues Thursday the sixteenth day of May we stood directly in with the Land and we much maruelled that we descried it not wherein wee found our Sea Charts very false laying out Land where none was for though we bare in directly with it according to them yet in almost fifty leagues running we found none Friday the seuenteenth of May about sixe a clocke at night wee descried Land which bare from vs North North-east but because it blew a great gale of winde the Sea very high and neere night not fit to come vpon an vnknowne coâ—st our Captaine stood off till two of the clocke in the morning being Saturday and Whitson Eâ—e then standing with it againe wee descried it by eight a clocke in morning bearing North-east from vs. It appeared a meane high Land as we after found it being but an Iland of no great compasse but I hope the most fortunate that euer men discouered as shall appeare by the sequell About twelue a clocke that day wee came to an anchor on the North side of this Iland in forty fathome water about a league from shoare This Iland is woody growne ouer with Firre Birch and Beech as farre as we saw along the shoare and so likely to be within On the Verge growe Gosseberries Strawberries wilde Pease and wilde Rose bushes The fresh water issued down the rocky Cliffes in many places and much fowle of sundry kindes breed vpon the shoare and Rockes While wee were at shoare our men aboord with a few hookes got aboue thirty great Cod and Haddocke which gaue vs a taste of the great plenty of fish which we found afterward wheresoeuer we went vpon the coast FRom hence we might discerne many Ilands and the maine Land from the West South-west to the East North-east and North North-east from vs a great way as it then seemed and as we after found it vp into the Maine we might discerne very high Mountaines although the Maine seemed but lowe Land which gaue vs a hope that it might please God to direct vs to the Discouery of some good although wee were driuen by windes farre from that place whether both by our direction and desire we euer intended to shape the course of our Voyage The next day being Whitsunday because we rode too much open to the Sea and windes wee wayed anchor about twelue a clocke and came along to the other Ilands more adioyning to the Maine and in the Road directly with the Mountaines about three leagues from the first Iland where we anchored When we came neere vnto them sounding all along in a good depth our Captaine manned his Ship-boat and sent her before with Thomas Cam one of his Mates whom he knew to be of good experience to search and sound about and between the Ilands for a place safe for our ship to ride in In the meane while we kept aloofe at Sea hauing giuen order to them in the Boat by a token to weffe in the ship if he found a conuenient Harbour which it pleased God to send vs farre beyond our expectation in a most safe birth defended from all windes in an excellent depth of water for ships of any burthens in six seuen eight nine and ten fathome vpon a clay oze very tough where is good moring euen on the Rocks vpon the Cliffe side We all with great admiration praised God who had from so apparent danger miraculously deliuered vs and directed vs vpon this day vpon which he sent the chiefe promised Director of all goodnesse vnto his Apostles and Disciples into such a place wherof here before we reade none to haue made either description or relation and then which neither our selues could wish or Nature affoord more secure In remembrance whereof our Captaine named it Pentecost Harbour Whitsun Munday the twentieth day of May by three a clocke in the morning our Captaine caused the Shalop to be carried ashoare where while some were busied about her himselfe set others to worke in digging Wels to receiue the water which we found issuing downe out of the Land in many places and rising amidst the rocky Cliffes In digging amongst other things we found in some places and not deepe clay ground blue red and white to make Bricke or Tile fit for building This day our Pinnace was fitted together and lanched in small time with two or three hookes were fished sufficiently for our whole companie three
man and he sometimes my Master One hundred and twentie were landed in the last supply Thomas Studly Anas Todkill THe prodigalitie of the Presidents state went so deepe in the store that Smith and Scriuener had a while tyed both Martin and him to the Rules of Proportion but now Smith being to depart the Presidents authority so ouerswayed Master Scriueners discretion as our store our time our strength and labours were idlely consumed to fulfill his phantasies The second of Iune 1608. Smith left the Fort to performe his Discouery with this company Walter Russell Doctor of Physicke Ralph Morton Thomas Momford William Cantrill Richard Fetherstone Iames Bourne Michael Sicklemore Anas Todkill Robert Small Iames Watkins Iohn Powell Iames Read black Smith Richard Keale Fishmonger Ionas Profit fisher These being in an open Barge of two tunnes burthen leauing the Phoenix at Cape Henrie we crossed the Bay to the Easterne shoare and fell with the Iles called Smiths Iles the first people we saw there were two grimme and stout Sauages vpon Cape Charles with long Poles like Iauelings headed with bone they boldly demanded what we were and what we would but after many circumstances they in time seemed very kind and directed vs to Acawmacke the habitation of the Weroans where we were kindly intreated this King was the comeliest proper ciuill Sauage we incountred his Country is a pleasant fertile clay soyle He told vs of a strange accident lately happened him and it was Two dead children by the extreme passions of their Parents or some dreaming Visions Phantasie or affection mooued them againe to reuisit their dead carkasses whose benummed bodies reflected to the eyes of the beholders such pleasant delightfull countenances as though they had regained their vitall spirts This is a Miracle drew many to behold them all which being a great part of his people not long after died and not any one escaped They spake the Language of Powhatan wherein they made such descriptions of the Bay Iles and Riuers that often did vs exceeding pleasure Passing alongst the Coast searching euery Inlet and Bay fit for Harbours and Habitations seeing many Iles in the midst of the Bay we bore vp for them but ere we could attaine them such an extreame gust of Winde Raine Thunder and Lightning happened that with great danger wee escaped the vnmercifull raging of that Ocean-like water The next day searching those inhabitable Iles which wee called Russells Iles to prouide fresh water the defect whereof forced vs to follow the next Easterne Channell which brought vs to the Riuer Wighcocomoco the people at first with great furie seemed to assault vs yet at last with Songs Dances and much mâ—rth became very tractable but searching their habitations for water we could fill but three and that such puddle that neuer till then we knew the want of good water We digged and searched many places but ere the end of two dayes wee would haue refused two Barricoes of Gold for one of that puddle water of Wighcocomoco Being past these Iles falling with a high Land vpon the Mayne we found a great pond of fresh water but so exceeding hot that we supposed it some Bath that place we called Point-ployer in honour of that Honourable House of Mousaye that in an extreame extremitie once robbed our Captaine Beeing thus refreshed in crossing ouer from the Mayne to other Iles the winde and waters so much increased with Thunder Lightning and Raine that our fore-mast blew ouer-boord and such mightie waues ouer-wrought vs in that small Barge that with great labour wee kept her from siâ—king by freeing out the water two dayes wee were inforced to inhabit these vninhabited Iles which for the extremitie of Gusts Thunder Raine Stormes and ill weather we called Limbo Repairing our fore-sayle with our shirts we set sayle for the Mayne and fell with a faire Riuer on the East called Kuskaranaocke The people ran as amazed in troupes from place to place and diuers got into the tops of Trees they were not sparing of their Arrowes nor the greatest passion they could expresse of anger long they shot we still riding at an Anchor out of their reach making all the signes of friendship wee could The next day they came vnarmed with euery one a Bisket dancing in a ring to draw vs on shore but seeing there was nothing in them but villanie we discharged a volley of Muskets charged with Pestoll shot whereat they all lay tumbling on the ground creeping some on way some another into a great cluster of Reeds hard by where there companions lay in Ambuscado Towards the Euening wee weighed and approached the shore discharging fiue or sixe shot amongst the Reeds we landed where they laid a many of baskets but saw not a Sauage a smoke appearing on the other side the Riuer we went thither where wee found two or three little Houses in each a fire there we left some pieces of Copper Beads Bels and Looking-glasses and then went into the Bay When it was darke we came to an Anchor againe Earely in the morning foure Sauages came to vs in their Canoa whom we vsed with such courtesie nor knew what we were nor had done hauing beene in the Bay a fishing â—ad vs stay and ere long they would returne which they did and some twentie more with them with whom after a little conference two or three hundred men women and children came clustering about vs euery one presenting vs somewhat which a little Bead would so well requite we became such friends they would contend who should fetch vs water stay with vs for hostage conduct our men any whether and giue vs the best content By it inhabit the people of Soraphanigh Nause Arsek and Nautaquake that much extolled a great Nation called Massawomekes in search of whom wee returned by Limbo but finding this Easterne shore shallow broken Iles and the Mayne for most part without fresh water we passed by the Straits of Limbo for the Westerne shore So broad is the Bay here that we could scarce perceiue the great high Cliffes on the other side by them wee anchored that night and called them Richards Cliffes Thirtie leagues we sayled more Northwards not finding any Inhabitants yet the Coast well watered the Mountaines very barren the Valleyes very fertile but the Woods extreme thicke full of Wolues Beares Deere and other wild Beasts The first Inlet we found we called Bolus for that the clay in many places was like if not Bole-Armoniacke when we first set saile some of our Gallants doubted nothing but that our Captaine would make too much hast home but hauing lien not aboue twelue dayes in this small Barge oft tyred at their Oares their Bread spoyled with wet so much that it was rotten yet so good were their stomackes that they could digest it did it with continuall complaints so importune him now to returne as caused him be speake them in this manner Gentlemen if
to Patawomeke There he rested till we returned from the head of the Riuer and then occasioned vs conduct to the Mine which we supposed Antimony Now in this place hee failâ—d not to doe vs all the good he could perswading vs in any case not to goe to the Rapahanocks for they would kill vs for being friends with the Moraughlacuds that but lately had stolne three of the Kings women This we did thinke was but that his friends might onely haue our trade so câ—ossed the Riuer to the Rapahanocks there some twelue or sixteene standing on the shore directed vs to a little narrow cricke where was good landing and commodities for vs in three or foure Canoaes which we saw there But according to our custome we demanded to exchange a man in signe of loue which after they had a little consulted foure or fiue came to the middles to fetch our man and leaue vs one of them shewing we neede not feare them for they had neither Clubs Bowes nor Arrowes notwithstanding Anas Todkill being sent on shore to see if he could discouer any ambuscados desired to goe ouer the plaine to fetch some wood but they were vnwilling except we would come into the creeke where the Boate might come close a shore Todkill by degrees hauing gotten some two stones throwes vp the plaine perceiued two or three hundred men as he thought behinde the trees so that offering to returne to the Boate the Sauages assayed to carry him away perforce he called to vs we were betraid and by thâ—t he had spoken the word our hostage was ouer-boord but Watkins his keeper slew him in the water immediatly we let fly amoÌ„gst them so that they fled Todkill escaped yet they shot so fast that he fell flat on the ground ere he could recouer the Boate here the Massawomecks Targets stood vs in good stead for vpon Moscos words we had set them about the forepart of our Boate like a fore-castell from whence we securely beate the Sauages from off the plaine without any hurt yet they shot more then 1000. Arrowes and then fled into the woods arming our selues with those light Targets which are made of little small sticks wouen betwixt strings of their hempe and silke grasse as is our cloth but so firmly that no Arrow can possibly pierce them we rescued Todkill who was bloudied by some of them that were shot but as it pleased God he had no hurt and followed them vp to the woods we found some wouâ—ded some slaine in diuers places much bloud it seemes all their Arrows were spent for we hard no more of them their Canoas we tooke the Arrowes which we found we broke except those we kept for Mosco to whom we gaue the Canoaes for his kindnes that entertained vs in the best triumphing manner and warlike order in armes he could procure of the Moroughtacunds The rest of the day wee spent in accommodating our Boate instead of tholes we made stickes like bedstanes to which we fastned so many of our Massawomecke Targets that inuironed her as wastcloathes the next morning we went vp the Riuer and our friend Mosco followed vs along the shoare but at last desired to goe with vs in our Boate. But as wee passed by Pilacacke Machopeake and Wecuppom three Townes scituated vpon high white clay Clifts the other side all a low plaine marish and the Riuer there but narrow thirty or forty of the Rapahanockes had so prepared themselues with branches as we tooke them for little Bushes growing amongst the Sedge seeing their Arrowes strike the Targets and drop in the Riuer Mosco fell flat on his face crying the Rapahanocks which presently we espied to be the Bushes which at our first Volley fell downe in the Sedge when we were gone neere halfe a mile they shewed themselues dancing and singing very merrily The Kings of Pissâ—ssacke Naudtaughtacund and Cuttatawomen vsed vs kindely and all the people neglected not any thing to Mosco to bring vs to them Betwixt Secobecke and Massatecke is a small Ile or two which causeth the Riuer to be broder then ordinary there it pleased God to take one of our company called M. Richard Fetherstone that all the time hee had beene in the Country had behaued himselfe very honestly valiantly industriously where in a little Bay called here upon Fetherstones Bay we buried him with a volly of shot the rest notwithstanding their ill diet and bad lodging crouded in so small a Barge in so many dangers neuer resting but alwaies tossed to againe had all well recouered their healths The next day we sailed so high as our Boat would flote there setting vp Crosses Then we discouered the Riuer of Payankatank so high as it was Nauigable but the people were most a hunting but a few old men women and children that were tending their Corne of which they promised vs part when wee would fetch it as had done all the other Nations where euer we had yet beene In a faire calme rowing towards Point Comfort wee anchored in Gusnolds Bay but such a sodaine gust surprised vs in the night with thunder and raine that wee neuer thought more to haue seene Iames Towne yet running before the winde we sometimes see the Land by the flashes of fire from heauen by which light onely wee kept from the splitting shoare vntill it pleased God in that blacke darknesse to preserue vs by that light to finde Point Comfort there refreshing our selues because wee had onely but heard of the Chisapearckes and Nandsamunds wee thought it as fit to know all our Neighbours neere home as so many Nations abroad This wee did the particulars are omitted and arriued safe the seuenth of September 1608. where wee found Master Skriuener and diuers others well recouered many dead some sicke The late President prisoner for muteny by the honest diligence of Master Skriuener the haruest gathered but the stores prouision much spoiled with raine Thus was that yeare when nothing wanted consumed and spent and nothing done such was the gouernment of Captaine Ratcliffe but onely this Discouery wherein to expresse all the dangers accidents and incounters this small number passed in that small Barge with such watrie diet in these great waters and barbarous Countries till then to any Christian vtterly vnknowne I rather referre their merit to the censure of the courteous and experienced Reader then I would be tedious or partiall being a party By Nathaniell Powell and Anas Todkill THe tenth of September 1608. by the election of the Councell and request of the Company Captaine Smith receiued the Letters Patents and tooke vpon him the place of President which till then by no meanes he would accept though he were often importuned thereunto Now the bâ—ilding of Ratcliffes Pallace was staid as a thing needelesse The Church was repaired the Storehouse recouered building prepared for the supply we expected The Fort reduced to the for me of this figure
and so Captaine Smith returned with this answer Vpon this Captaine Newport sent his presents by water which is neere one hundred miles with fifty of the best shot himselfe went by land which is but twelue miles where he met with our three Barges to transport him ouer All things being fit for the day of his Coronation the presents were brought his Bason Ewer Bed and Furniture set vp his Scarlet Cloake and Apparell with much adoe put on him being perswaded by Namontacke they would doe him no hurt But a foule trouble there was to make him kneele to receiue his Crowne he neither knowing the Maiesty nor meaning of a Crowne nor bending of the knee indured so many perswasions examples and instructions as tired them all At last by leaning hard on his shoulders he a little stooped so they put the Crowne on his head When by the warning of a Pistoll the Boates were prepared with such a Volly of shot that the King start vp in a horrible feare till he see all was well then remembring himselfe to congratulate their kindenesse he gaue his old Shooes and his Mantle to Captaine Newport But perceiuing his purpose was to discouer the Monacans he laboured to diuert his resolution refusing to lend him either men or guides more then Namontacke and so after some complementall kindenesse on both sides in requitall of his presents he presented Newport with a heape of Wheate eares that might containe some seuen or eight bushels and as much more we bought ready dressed in the Towne wherewith we returned to the Fort. The Ship hauing disburdened her selfe of seuenty persons with the first Gentlewoman and woman seruant that arriued in our Colony Captaine Newport with all the Counsell and one hundred and twenty chosen men set forward for the discouery of Monacan leauing the President at the Fort with eighty such as they were to relade the Ship Arriuing at the fals wee marched by land some forty miles in two dayes and a halfe and so returned downe to the same path we went Two Townes we discouered of the Monacans the people neither vsing vs well nor ill yet for our security we tooke one of their petty Werowances and led him bound to conduct vs the way And in our returne searched many places we supposed Mines about which we spent some time in refining hauing one William Callicut a refiner fitted for that purpose from that crust of earth which we digged hâ— perswaded vs to beleeue hee extracted some small quantity of Siluer and not vnlikely some better stuffe might be had for the digging with this poore triall being contented to leaue this faire fertill well watered Country Comming to the Fals the Sauages fained there were diuers Ships come into the Bay to kill them at Iames Towne Trade they would not and finde their Corne we could not for they had hid it in the woods and being thus deluded we arriued at Iames Towne halfe sicke all complaining and tired with toile famine and discontent to haue onely but discouered our gilded hopes and fruitlesse certainties as the President foretold vs. No sooner were we landed but the President dispersed as many as were able some for Glasse others for Pitch Tarre and Sope-ashes leauing them with the Fort to the Councels ouersight But thirtie of vs he conducted fiue miles from the Fort to learne to make clap-boord cut downe Trees and lie in Woods amongst the rest he had chosen Gabriell Beadell and Iohn Russell the only two Gallants of this last supply and both proper Gentlemen strange were these pleasures to to their conditions yet lodging eating drinking working or playing they doing but as the President all these things were carried so pleasantly as within a weeke they became Masters making it their delight to heare the Trees thunder as they fell but the Axes so oft blistered there tender fingers that commonly euery third blow had a lowd Oath to drowne the Eccho for remedie of which sinne the President deuised how to haue euery mans Oathes numbred and at night for euery Oath to haue a Kan of water powred downe his sleeue with which euery Offender was so washed himselfe and all that a man should scarce heare an Oath in a Weeke By this let no man thinke that the President or these Gentlemens spent their times as common Wood-hackers at felling of Trees or such like other labours or that they were pressed to any thing as hirelings or common slaues for what they did beeing but once a little inured it seemed and they conceited it only as a pleasure and a recreation Yet thirtie or fortie of such voluntarie Gentlemen would doe more in a day then one hundred of the rest that must be prest to it by compulsion Master Scriuener Captaine Waldo and Captaine Winne at the Fort euery one in like manner carefully regarded their charge The President returning from amongst the Woods seeing the time consumed and no prouision gotten and the ship lay idle and would do nothing presently imbarked himselfe in the Discouery Barge giuing order to the Councell to send Master Percie after him with the next Barge that arriued at the Fort two Barges he had himselfe and twentie men but arriuing at Chickahamina that dogged Nation was too well acquainted with our wants refusing to trade with as much scorne and insolencie as they could expresse The President perceiuing it was Powhatans policie to starue vs told them hee came not so much for their Corne as to reuenge his imprisonment and the death of his men murdered by them and so landing his men and readie to charge them they immediatly fled but then they sent their Ambassadors with corne fish fowle or what they had to make their peace their corne being that yeere bad they complained extremely of their owne wants yet fraughted our Boates with one hundred bushels of Corne and in like manner Master Percies that not long after vs arriued they hauing done the best they could to content vs within foure or fiue dayes wee returned to Iames Towne All this time our old Tauerne made as much of all them that had either Money or Ware as could be desired and by this time they were become so perfect on all sides I meane Souldiers Saylers and Sauages as there was ten times more care to maintayne their damnable and priuate Trade then to prouide for the Colonie things that were necessarie neither was it a small policie in the Mariners to report in England wee had such plentie and bring vs so many men without victuall when they had so many priuate Factors in the Fort that within sixe or seuen weekes after the ships returne of two or three hundred Hatchets Chissels Mattockes and Pick-axes scarce twentie could bee found and for Pike-heads Kniues Shot Powder or any thing they could steale from their fellowes was vendible They knew as well and as secretly how to conuay them to trade with the Sauages for Furres Baskets
attend and thereunto euery man came duely vpon his watch tooke the Bucket or Pumpe for one houre and rested another Then men might be seene to labour I may well say for life and the better sort euen our Gouernour and Admirall themselues not refusing their turne and to spell each the other to giue example to other The common sort stripped naked as men in Gallies the easier both to hold out and to shrinke from vnder the salt water which continually leapt in among them kept their eyes waking and their thoughts and hands working with tyred bodies and wasted spirits three dayes and foure nights destitute of outward comfort and desperate of any deliuerance testifying how mutually willing they were yet by labour to keepe each other from drowning albeit each one drowned whilest he laboured Once so huge a Sea brake vpon the poope and quarter vpon vs as it couered our Shippe from stearne to stemme like a garment or a vast cloude it filled her brimme full for a while within from the hatches vp to the sparre decke This source or confluence of water was so violent as it rusht and carried the Helm-man from the Helme and wrested the Whip-staffe out of his hand which so flew from side to side that when he would haue ceased the same againe it so tossed him from Star-boord to Lar-boord as it was Gods mercy it had not split him It so beat him from his hold and so bruised him as a fresh man hazarding in by chance fell faire with it and by maine strength bearing somewhat vp made good his place and with much clamour incouraged and called vpon others who gaue her now vp rent in pieces and absolutely lost Our Gouernour was at this time below at the Capstone both by his speech and authoritie heartening euery man vnto his labour It strooke him from the place where hee sate and groueled him and all vs about him on our faces beating together with our breaths all thoughts from our bosomes eâ—â—e then that wee were now sinking For my part I thought her alreadie in the bottome of the Sea and I haue heard him say wading out of the floud thereof all his ambition was but to climbe vp aboue hatches to dye in Aperto coelo and in the company of his old friends It so stun'd the ship in her full pace that shee stirred no more then if shee had beene caught in a net or then as if the fabulous Remora had stucke to her fore-castle Yet without bearing one inch of saile euen then shee was making her way nine or ten leagues in a watch One thing it is not without his wonder whether it were the feare of death in so great a storme or that it pleased God to be gracious vnto vs there was not a passenger gentleman or other after hee beganne to stirre and labour but was able to relieue his fellow and make good his course And it is most true such as in all their life times had neuer done houres worke before their mindes now helping their bodies were able twice fortie eight houres together to toile with the best During all this time the heauens look'd so blacke vpon vs that it was not possible the eleuauation of the Pole might be obserued nor a Starre by night not Sunne beame by day was to be seene Onely vpon the thursday night Sir George Summers being vpon the watch had an apparition of a little round light like a saint Starre trembling and streaming along with a sparkeling blaze halfe the height vpon the Maine Mast and shooting sometimes from Shroud to Shroud tempting to settle as it were vpon any of the foure Shrouds and for three or foure houres together or rather more halfe the night it kept with vs running sometimes along the Maine-yard to the very end and then returning At which Sir George Summers called diuers about him and shewed them the same who obserued it with much wonder and carefulnesse but vpon a sodaine towards the morning watch they lost the sight of it and knew not what way it made The superstitious Sea-men make many constructions of this Sea-fire which neuerthelesse is vsuall in stormes the same it may be which the Graecians were wont in the Mediterranean to call Castor and Pollux of which if one onely appeared without the other they tooke it for an euill signe of great tempest The Italians and such who lye open to the Adriatique and Tyrrene Sea call it a sacred Body Corpo sancto the Spaniards call it Saint Elmo and haue an authentique and miraculous Legend for it Be it what it will we laid other foundations of safety or ruine then in the rising or falling of it could it haue serued vs now miraculously to haue taken our height by it might haue strucken amazement and a reuerence in our deuotions according to the due of a miracle But it did not light vs any whit the more to our knowne way who ran now as doe hood winked men at all aduentures sometimes North and North-east then North and by West and in an instant againe varying two or three points and sometimes halfe the Compasse East and by South we steered away as much as we could to beare vpright which was no small carefulnesse nor paine to doe albeit we much vnrigged our Ship threw ouer-boord much luggage many a Trunke and Chest in which I suffered no meane losse and staued many a Butt of Beere Hogsheads of Oyle Syder Wine and Vinegar and heaued away all our Ordnance on the Starboord side and had now purposed to haue cut downe the Maine Mast the more to lighten her for we were much spent and our men so weary as their stengths together failed them with their hearts hauing trauailed now from Tuesday till Friday morning day and night without either sleepe or foode for the leakeage taking vp all the hold wee could neither come by Beere nor fresh water fire we could keepe none in the Cookeroome to dresse any meate and carefulnesse griefe and our turne at the Pumpe or Bucket were sufficient to hold sleepe from our eyes And surely Madam it is most true there was not any houre a matter of admiration all these dayes in which we freed not twelue hundred Barricos of water the least whereof contained six gallons and some eight besides three deepe Pumpes continually going two beneath at the Capstone and the other aboue in the halfe Decke and at each Pumpe foure thousand stroakes at the least in a watch so as I may well say euery foure houres we quitted one hundred tunnes of water and from tuesday noone till friday noone we bailed and pumped two thousand tunne and yet doe what we could when our Ship held least in her after tuesday night second watch shee bore ten foote deepe at which stay our extreame working kept her one eight glasses forbearance whereof had instantly sunke vs and it being now Friday the fourth morning it wanted little but
them authoritie in their places to compell the aduersant and irregular multitude at any time to what should bee obedient and honest which if they should not execute the blame would not lye vpon the people at all times wauering and insolent but vpon themselues so weake and vnworthy in their command And moreouer intreated him by any secret practice to apprehend them since that the obstinate and precipitate many were no more in such a condition and state to bee fauoured then the murmuring and mutinie of such Rebellious and turbulent Humorists who had not conscience nor knowledge to draw in the yoke of goodnesse and in the businesse for which they were sent out of England for which likewise at the expence and charge of the Aduenturers they were to him committed and that the meanest in the whole Fleet stood the Company in no lesse then twentie pounds for his owne personall Transportation and things necessary to accompany him And therefore louingly coniured Sir George by the worthinesse of his heretofore well mayntayned reputation and by the powers of his owne iudgement and by the vertue of that ancient loue and friendship which had these many yeeres beene setled betweene them to doe his best to giue this reuolted Company if he could send vnto them the consideration of these particulars and so worke with them if he might that by faire meanes the Mutinie reconciled they would at length suruey their owne errours which hee would bee as readie vpon their rendring and comming into pardon as he did now pittie them assuring them in generall and particular that whatsoeuer they had sinisterly committed or practised hitherto against the Lawes of dutie and honestie should not in any sort be imputed against them In which good Office Sir George Summers did so nobly worke and heartily labour as hee brought most of them in and indeed all but Christopher Carter and Robert Waters who by no meanes would any more come amongst Sir Georges men hearing that Sir George had commanded his men indeed since they would not be intreated by faire meanes to surprize them if they could by any deuice or force From which time they grew so cautelous and wary for their owne ill as at our comming away wee were faine to leaue them behind That Waters was a Sayler who at his first landing vpon the Iland as after you shall heare killed another fellow Sayler of his the bodie of the murthered and Murtherer so dwelling as prescribed now together During our time of abode vpon these Ilands wee had daily euery Sunday two Sermons preached by our Minister besides euery Morning and Euening at the ringing of a Bell wee repayred all to puplique Prayer at â—hat time the names of our whole Company were called by Bill and such as were wanting we 〈…〉 duly punished The contents for thâ— most part of all our Preachers Sermons were especially of Thankefulnesse and Vnitie c. It pleased God also to giue vs opportunitie to performe all the other Offices and Rites of our Christian Profession in this Iland as Marriage for the sixe and twentieth of Nouember we had one of Sir George Summers his men his Cooke named Thomas Powell who married a Maid Seruant of one Mistris Horton whose name was Elizabeth Persons and vpon Christmasse Eue as also once before the first of October our Minister preached a godly Sermon which being ended he celebrated a Communion at the partaking whereof our Gouernour was and the greatest part of our Company and the eleuenth of February wee had the childe of one Iohn Rofe christened a Daughter to which Captaine Newport and my selfe were Witnesses and the aforesaid Mistris Horton and we named it Bermuda as also the fiue and twentieth of March the wife of one Edward Eason being deliuered the weeke before of a Boy had him then christened to which Captaine Newport and my selfe and Master Iames Swift were Godfathers and we named it Bermudas Likewise we buried fiue of our company Ieffery Briars Richard Lewis William Hitchman and my God-daughter Bermuda Rolfe and one vntimely Edward Samuell a Sayler being villanously killed by the foresaid Robert Waters a Sayler likewise with a shouell who strake him therewith vnder the lift of the Eare for which he was apprehended and appointed to be hanged the next day the fact being done in the twilight but being bound fast to a Tree all night with many Ropes and a Guard of fiue or six to attend him his fellow Saylers watching the aduantage of the Centinels sleeping in despight and disdaine that Iustice should bee shewed vpon a Sayler and that one of their crue should be an example to others not taking into consideration the vnmanlinesse of the murther nor the horror of the sinne they cut his bands and conueyed him into the Woods where they fed him nightly and closely who afterward by the mediation of Sir George Summers vpon many conditions had his tryall respited by our Gouernour Wee had brought our Pinnasse so forward by this time as the eight and twentieth of August we hauing laid her Keele The sixe and twentieth of February we now began to calke old Cables we had preserued vnto vs which affoorded Ocam enough and one barrell of Pitch and another of Tarre we likewise saued which serued our vse some little way vpon the Bâ—lg wee breamed her otherwise with Lime made of Wilke shels and an hard white stone which we burned in a Kill slaked with fresh water and tempered with Tortoyses Oyle The thirtieth of March being Friday we towed her out in the morning Spring-tyde from the Wharfe where she was built boying her with foure Caske in her runne only which opened into the Northwest and into which when the Breeze stood North and by West with any stiffe gale and vpon the Spring-tydes the Sea would increase with that violence especially twice it did so as at the first time before our Gouernour had caused a solid Causey of an hundred load of stone to bee brought from the Hils and Neighbour Rockes and round about her ribs from stemme to stemme where it made a pointed Baulke and thereby brake the violence of the Flowe and Billowe it indangered her ouerthrow and ruine beeing greene as it were vpon the Stockes With much difficultie diligence and labour we saued her at the first all her Bases Shores and Piles which vnder-set her being almost carried from her which was the second of Ianuary when her knees were not set to nor one ioynt firme We launched her vnrigged to carrie her to a little round Iland lying West North-west and close aboord to the backe side of our Iland both neerer the Ponds and Wels of some fresh water as also from thence to make our way to the Sea the better the Channell being there sufficient and deepe enough to leade her forth when her Masts Sayles and all her Trimme should bee about her Shee was fortie foot by the Keele and nineteene foot broad at the
s. One Kettle 6. s. One large frying-pan 2. s. 6. d. One Griddirâ—n 1. s. 6. d. Two Skillets 5. s. One Spit 2. s. Platters dishes Spoones of wood 4. s. 1. li. 8. s. For Sugar Spice and fruit and at Sea for six men 12. 〈◊〉 6. d. So the full charge of apparell victuall armes â—tooles houshold-stuffe and after this rate for each person will amount vnto about the sum of 12. l. â—0 s. The passage of each man is 6. li. The fraight of these prouisions for a man will be about halfe a Tun which is 1. 〈◊〉 10. s. So the whole charge wil amount to about 20. l. Nets Hookes Lines and a Tent must be added if the number of people be greater as also some Kine And this is the vsuall proportion that the Virginia Company doe bestow vpon their Tenants which they send Whoâ—oeuer tran ports himselfe or any other at his owne charge vnto Virginia shall for each person so transported before Midsummer 1625. haue to him and his heires for euer fiftie Acres of Land vpon a first and fiftie Acres vpon a second diuision Sir George Yeardly intending to visit Smiths Iles fell sicke and thereupon sent Master Porey with Estinien Moll a Frenchman to finde a conuenient place to make Salt in Namenicus King of Pawtuxunt came and shewed them his naked braest protesting the inside to be as free ill meaning as that from deformitie and promising welcome if they would come into his Countrey which they promised After this they hauing conferred with Kiptopeke King of Aquohanok they passed Russels Iles and Onancoke and arriued at Pawtuxunt at Attoughcomoco the habitation of Namenacuâ— and Wamanato his brother who came aboord them with a brasse Kettle bright without within full of Oysters Hee was shewed their hunting conducted forth by the younger and home by the elder presented also with Beauers skinnes which hee requited with such things as Wamanato said he would keepe them while hee liued and burie them with him being dead Namenacus his breast proued vlcerous within and treacherous but without harme to them by reason of their circumspection an ambush being prouided in a Wood at a point where they would haue had them land Kiptokepe is the elder brother and yeelded the moytie of his Countrie to the younger bearing still the greater burthen in gouernment but lesse honour whereas on the Westerne shore the younger beares the charge the elder the dignitie These are the most thriftie Sauages keeping Corne for all the yeere and hauing to spare whereas others want for one halfe They are also more ciuill iust reckoners vse no Black-boy-ceremonies and in Affinitie and Consanguinitie obserue a larger distance in their Marriages Anno 1622. the Abigail was sent and therein Captaine Barwick with fiue and twentie men to build ships and Boats and others to build the East Indie Schoole That fatall Massacre some thinke to haue beene occasioned by Nemattanow a Sauage called vsually lacke of the Feather in best esteeme amongst them for courage and policie who perswading one Morgan to go with him to Pamaunke to trucke by the way slue him two or three dayes after hee returned to Morgans house and answered his Seruants asking for their Master that hee was dead whereupon they would haue had him to Master Thorpe but hee so moued their patience that they shot him Hee whom the Sauages esteemed free from hurt by the English and shot free desired before his death that they would bury him with the English and not make it knowne that hee was slaine with a bullet Opachancanough was moued with his losse so as he threatned reuenge which he could not effect but by treacherous pretence of greatest peace after fourteene dayes by so many deaths giuing life to the following Tragedie which you heard deliuered by publike Authoritie This terrible blow so affrigheed all that it was concluded that all the pettie Plantations should be left to make good a few places some say fiue or six whither for want of Boats their goods and cattell could not be so suddenly conueyed but that much was exposed to the Sauages cruell gleanings Master Gookins at Nuports newes hauing thirtie fiue of all sorts with him refused that order and made good his part against the Sauages Master Iordan at Beggars Bush gathered a few about him and fortified himselfe in despight of the enemie Mistris Procter would haue aduentured the like and did it for three weekes till the Officers as some report would no longer permit her Captaine Nuse and Captaine Crawshaw are much for prouidence and valour commended Waters and his wife were kept prisoners by the Nansamuds this Edward Waters is one of those three which first stayed in Bermuda and found the great piece of Ambergreece whence by chance vpon occasion of a Boat lost by ill weather whose company were saued and comming on their shoare they being busied in their Triumphs and Dances for ioy they found opportunitie to get into a Canoa and escaped to Kecoughtan Captaine Nuce called his Neighbours together when he heard of the Massacre entrenched himselfe and mounted three Peeces of Ordnance so that in foure dayes hee was strong enough to defend himselfe against all the Barbarian forces Captaine Crashaw with fiue others fortified himselfe in despight of all the Sauages with the helpe of other Sauages and made offer to the Colonie if they would send him a shallop with Armes men and prouision for Trade that the next Haruest he would prouide them Corne sufficient which then in the latter end of Iune was little to bee had in the Countrie Captaine Maddeson is reported to haue giuen ouer-hastie credit to an exiled King which comming to Patowomeke for succour and not obtayning it in reuenge deuised and slandered the Patowomekes with intent of betraying and killing the English which credulitie produced effects of crueltie and the conceits of bloudie treacherie conceiued if others conceiue not falsly treacherie and bloud The last Summer 1623. they set forth a company which destroyed the Sauages Corne and houses and surprized Pamaunke chiefe Seat of Opachancanough And the last report is that the Colonie is now in health and that the Sauages haue returned seuen of the English which they held prisoners out of selfe guiltinesse and feare of reuenge seeing ships still come thither and wearie of their watchings and manifold losses and dangers Opachankanough the authour of the Massacre is said to haue come to his end by meanes more sutable to his deserts then perhaps agreeing with Christian simplicitie A sicknesse after the Massacre fell amongst the English by reason that from neere eightie Plantations they were brought to fewer then eight these distracted with a sudden remooue and distressed wants It is thought that 1800. suruiued both His Maiestie not a little moued with the losse of so many his good Subiects and some complaints also being made of the Gouernment many of the Virginian Company here holding no such
Rocks in the bottome of the Sea in forme of a Vine-leafe but farre more spread with veines of a palish red strangely interlaced and weaued into each other the vertue vnknowne There are besides fruits thither carried which thriue and multiply White Red Yellow Potatoes Sugar-canes Indicoes Parsnips exceeding large Radishes Cassaui the American root for bread the Indian Pompeon the water Melon the Muske Melon the most delicate Pine-apple Plantans and Papawes the English Artichoke Pease c. Master Moore applied himselfe to fortifying and to traine his men hee laid the foundation of eight or nine Forts called the Kings Castle Charles Fort Pembrokes Fort Smiths Fort Gates Fort Warwickes Castle Saint Katherines Fort c. mounting therein all such Ordnance as he had Being busied in these and other necessaries which held the men hard at worke Master Keath the Minister a Scot taxed him in the Pulpit for grinding the faces of the poore oppressing his Christian brethren with Pharoos taxes for which being conuented and by the generality contraried he fell on his knees and asked pardon which was easily with good admonition granted Two other malecontents were condemned to be hanged one of which for feare fell into a dead palsie the other was freed and after proued a good labourer He got two peeces of Ordnance out of the Sea-Venture Sir George Summers wracke framed a Church of Timber which was blowne downe and reedified and another built in a closer place with Palmito leaues Before the yeare expired an Aduiso with thirtie passengers were sent to prepare for Spaniards which made them fall so hard to worke that many fell sicke The Martha followed with sixtie passengers and in it Master George Barklie who tooke good notice of those Ilands The Elizabeth was sent the second time with fortie passengers These carried the first Potatos which being all lost but two castaway rootes haue yeelded increase there to admiration and are great reliefe to the Inhabitants Two Spanish Ships were seene soone after this Ship was gone to sound with their Boate attempting to come in but from the Kings Castle Master Moore made two shot which caused them to depart to the ioy of the Plantation which then had but three quarters of a barrell of Powder and but one shot more the Powder also by carelesnesse tumbled vnder the Muffels of the two Peeces which were discharged and yet not touched with fire The like mercifull prouidence appeared in certaine cartrages of Paper filled with Powder a negligent fellow leauing his Match burning vpon one of them all the while they were at Prayer so that the cole touched the Paper and fired it not A worse thing happened by a caruell of Meale which Daniel Elfred brought thither so stored with Rats that had neere ruined all the Plantation Two yeeres after came in the Blessing with one hundred passengers and the Starre with one hundred and eightie and soone after the Margaret and two Frigats with one hundred and sixtie Master Barkley also came to diuide the Countrie into Tribes and the Tribes into shares but Moore seeing his share and the Colonies to be none gaue him so cold entertainment that he returned as he came This bred Moore more dislike in England and his minding fortification so much with neglect of Corne bred a famin that attended with diseases specially one called the Feagues which without sense of paine swallowed vp all their strength at once whereof without succour they died some by foode and rest recouered The Rauens continued this mortality and then departed William Millinton was drawne into the Sea by a Fish and neuer seene more The Famine gaue a supersedeas to the workes and Moore sent them to seeke reliefe At Coupers I le with a contrary extremity of the abundance of Cahows and Fish many surfeited and died Some killed the Cattell and one stole away to the Woods and there franked himselfe feeding on land Crabbes and Wilkes For fishing the Smith was faine to make Hookes of Swords and Lines of old Ropes till a Frigat being sent with aduice into England the Welcome was sent with prouision Master Moore returned in this Ship and left the Gouernment to a Councell of sixe which should succeede each other monethly viz. Captaine Miles Kendall Captaine Iohn Mansfield Thomas Knight Charles Caldicot Edward Waters and Christopher Carter with twelue Assistants Moore arriuing here after much quarrell obtained eight shares of Land Hee died after in Sir Walter Raleighs Guiana voyage He was a man very pragmaticall and had before vndertaken much in Foulenesse for Rapes seede c. A man fitter for such a Plantation as this in the beginning was then some silken Citizen or stalking Gentleman or talking Traueller or sowre Humorist or grim Martialist might haply haue proued Caldicots Lot was first whose moneth being ended with Knight and Waters in a small Frigot he went to Virginia Mansfield succeeded in the new triumuirate and a plot not to surrender the Gouernment to such as from England should be appointed was disappointed Master Hughes was imprisoned and soone set at liberty but Master Keath his Symmystes fell to strange disputes and Hughes was againe conuented and by the Iury acquitted Mansfields moneth being passed in braules the two next were quiet yet those contestings after reuiued The Edwin arriued with good supplies Diuers Boates were lost at Sea about this time But one memorable accident was this In March a season most tempestuous on a faire Friday morning seuen men went in a Boate of two or three tuns to fish some of them fasting neither had they any prouision in the Boat with them but a few Palmeto berries some foure leagues from shoare a tempest tooke them and carried them quite out of sight of land their strength being spent the strength also of the tempest abated on sunday and a calme followed Too weake for Oares they lay adrife that night the next morning Andrew Hillyard the rest not able to helpe themselues spred the saile On tuesday one died on wednesday three which were cast ouer-boord on thursday night the sixth whom he was not able to turne ouer but stripped him ripped his belly with his Knife threw his bowels into Sea spred his body abroad tilted open with a sticke and so let it lye as a Cesterne to receiue some luckie raine water which God sent presently after so that in a small shower he recouered about foure spoonefuls of raine to his vnspeakable refreshment He also preserued neere halfe a pint of blood in a shooe which hee did sparingly drinke to moisten his mouth Two dayes he fed on his flesh to the quantity of a pound the eleuenth day after his losse of Land two flying Fishes fell into his Boate whose warme iucie bloud he sucked to his great comfort and within an houre after with greater comfort espied land which within foure houres he attained on a Rocke neere
in the night escaped away and returned with the losse of much of her prouision and the ouerthrow of that Voyage to the ruine of that poore Gentleman Captayne Smith who was detayned Prisoner by them and forced to suffer many extremities before he got free of his troubles Notwithstanding these Disasters it pleased God so to worke for our incouragement againe as he sent into our hands Tasquantum one of those Sauages that formerly had beene betrayed by this vnworthy Hunt before named by whose means there was hope conceiued to worke a peace betweene vs and his friends they beeing the principall Inhabitants of that Coast where the fire was kindled But this Sauage Tasquantum being at that time in the New-found-land with Captaine Mason Gouernour there for the vndertakers of that Plantation Master Darmer who was there also and sometimes before imployed as wee haue said by vs together wiâ—h Captayne Iohn Smith found the meanes to giue vs intelligence of him and his opinion of the good vse that might bee made of his Employment with the readinesse of Captayne Mason to further any of our Attempts that way eyther with Boates or other prouision necessarie and resoluing himselfe to goe from thence aduised vs to send some to meete with him at our vsuall place of fishing to ayde him in his indeuour that they ioyning together might bee able to doe what he hoped would be very acceptable vnto all wel-wishers of that businesse Vpon this newes we dispatched the next season Cap. Rocraft with a company for that purpose in hope to haue met with Captaine Darmer but the care and discretion of Cap. Mason was such finding Captayne Darmers resolution to goe beyond his meanes that he perswaded him first to go for England that prouiding himselfe there as was requisite hee might proceed in time expedient which counsell he obserued as fit it was although our expectation of his ioyning with Captaine Rocraft was thereby disappointed Yet so it happened that Captaine Rocraft at his arriuall in those parts met with a French Barke that lay in a Creeke a fishing and trading which hee seized on and sent home the Master and Company in the same ship which hee went out in With this Barke and his owne Company he meant to keepe the Coast that Winter quarter being very well fitted both with Salt and other necessaries for his turne but as this was an Act of extremitie the poore man being of our owne Religion so succeeded it accordingly For in a short time after certaine of this Captaynes Company conspired together to cut his throate and to make themselues Masters of the whole spoyle and so to seeke a new Fortune where they could best make it This Conspiracie being discouered to the Captayne he let it go on till the time that it should haue beene put in execution when hee caught them in their owne traine and so apprehended them in the very instant that they were purposed to begin their Massacre But after hee had preuented the mischiefe and seized vpon the Malefactois hee tooke to his consideration what was best to bee done with them And being loth by himselfe to dispatch them as they deserued hee resolued to put them a shoare thinking by their hazard that it was possible they might discouer something that might aduance the publike and so giuing them some Armes for their defence and some victuall for their sustentation vntill they knew better how to prouide for themselues hee left them a place called Sawaguatock where they remayned not long but got from thence to Menehighon an Iland lying some three leagues in the Sea and fifteene leagues from that place where they remayned all that Winter with bad lodging and worse fare yet came all safe home saue one sickely man which dyed there the rest returned with the Shippe wee sent for Rocrafts supply and prouision to make a Fishing Voyage After these fellowes were landed the Captaine finding himselfe but weakely man'd and his Ship to draw too much water to Coast those places that by his instructions hee was assigned to discouer hee resolued to goe for Virginia where he had liued a long time before and had as hee conceiued many friends that would helpe him with some things that hee had occasion to vse Arriuing there he was not deceiued of his expectation for Sir Samuel Argall being their Gouernour and one that respected him much for his owne sake was the readier to helpe him in regard of the good hee wished to the businesse wherein he was imployed But all this could not preuaile for after that Sir Samuel Argall came from thence his departure being more sudden then was expected it fell out that the new Gouernour entred the Harbour and finding Rocraft ready to bee gone sent to him to command him to come aboord to speake with him which hee readily obeyed as soone as hee could fit his boat and men for that purpose And so leauing his Barke with her great Anker at head and taking with him the halfe of his company he was forced to stay aboard the new Gouernors Ship that night In the meane while a storme arising our Barke wanting hands to doe their labour droue a shoare and there sunke But yet the Gouernour and Captaine so laboured the next day when they knew thereof as that they freed her againe but that occasion forced our Captain to stay so long in the Countrey to fit himselfe a new as in the interim a quarrell fell out betweene him and another of that place so as Rocraft was slaine and the Barke sunke the second time and finally disabled from yeelding vs any benefit to this present But we not knowing this disaster and Captain Darmer arriuing with his Sauage out of New-found land dispatched him away the next season in a Ship wee sentagaine for the fishing businesse and assigned him a company to ioyne with Rocraft and his people Captain Darmer arriuing there and not finding Rocraft was a little perplexed and in doubt what to doe yet hearing by those Mutiners which hee found there that hee was gone for Virginia he was hopefull of his returne and liued in that expectation till such time as he heard by a Ship that came from thence to fish for the Colony the confusion of his fortune and the end of his masery in this world Then hee determined to take the Pinnace that the yeere before was assigned to Rocraft for him to make the Trade with and with her to proceed on his designe and so embarked himselfe and his prouision and company in her And leauing the Fisher-men to their labour he coasted the shoare from thence searching euery Harbour and compassing euery Cape-land till hee arriued in Uirginia where hee was in hope to meet with some of the prouision or company of Rocraft to help to supply him of what hee wanted as also to lay a Decke vpon his Pinnace that before had not any and now was
Wine doe long for it as a daintie that their purses could neuer reach toâ—n England and hauing it there without money euen in their houses where they lie and hold their guard can be kept from being drunke and once drunke held in any order or tune except we had for euery drunkard an Officer to attend him But who bee they that haue run into these disorders Euen our newest men our youngest men and our idlest men and for the most part our slouenly prest men whom the Iustices who haue alwayes thought vnworthily of any warre haue sent out as the scum and dregs of the Countrey And those were they who distempering themselues with their hot Wines haue brought in that sicknesse which hath infected honester men then themselues But I hope as in other places the recouery of the disease doth acquaint their bodies with the ayre of the Countrey where they be so the remainder of these which haue either recouered or past without sicknesse will proue most fit for Martiall seruices If we haue wanted Surgeons may not this rather be laid vpon the Captaines who are to prouide for their seuerall Companies then vpon the Generalls whose care hath been more generall And how may it be thought that euery Captaine vpon whom most of the charges of raising their Companies was laid as an aduenture could prouide themselues of all things expedient for a war which was alwayes wont to be maintained by the purse of the Prince But admit euery Captain had his Surgeon yet were the want of curing neuerthelesse for our English Surgeons for the most part bee vnexperienced in hurts that come by shot because England hath not knowne warres but of late from whose ignorance proceeded this discomfort which I hope will warne those that hereafter goe to the warres to make preparation of such as may better preserue mens liues by their skill From whence the want of carriages did proceed you may coniecture in that wee marched through a Country neither plentifull of such prouisions nor willing to part from any thing yet this I can assure you that no man of worth was left either hurt or sicke in any place vnprouided for And that the Generall commanded all the Mules and Asses that were laden wiâ—â— any baggage to be vnburdened and taken to that vse and the Earle of Essex and he for mony hired men to carry men vpon Pikâ—â— And the Earle whose true vertue and nobilitie as it doth in all other his actions appeare so did it very much in this threw downe his owne stuffe I meane apparell and necessities which hee had there from his owne carriages and let them be left by the way to put hurt and sicke men vpon them And the great complaint that these men make for want of victualls may well proceed from their not knowing the wants of warre for if to feed vpon good Beeues Muttons and Goates be to want they haue endured great scarcitie at Land whereunto they neuer wanted two dayes together wine to mixe with their water nor bread to eat with theâ— meat in some quantitie except it were such as had vowed rather to starue then to 〈◊〉 out of their places for food of whom we haue too many After six dayes sayling from the Coast of England and the fifth after we had the wind good being the twentieth of Aprill in the euening we landed in a bay more thâ—â— an English mile from the Groine in our long Boats and Pinnaces without any impeachmentâ— from whence we presently marched toward the Towne within one halfe mile wee were encountred by the enemy who being charged by ours retired into their gates For that night our Armie lay in the Villages Hoâ—ses and Mils next adioyning and very neere round about the Towne into the which the Galeon named S. Iohn which was the second of the last yeeres 〈◊〉 against England one Huâ—ke two smaller Ships and two Gallies which were found in the Road did beat vpon vs and vpon our Companies as they passed too and fro that night and the next morning Generall Norris hauing that morning before day viewed the Towne found the same defended on the Lâ—nd side for it standeth vpon the necke of an Iland with a wall vpon a dry Ditch whereupon hee resolued to try in two plâ—ces what might be done against it by Escâ—lade and in the meane time aduised for the landing of some Artillerie to be vpon the Ships and Gallies that they might not annoy vs which being but in execution vpon the planting of the first Peece the Gallies abandoned the Road and betooke them to Feroll not farre from therice and the Armada being beaten with the Artillery and Musketers that were placed vpon the next shoare left her playing vpon vs. The rest of the day was spent in preparing the Companies and other prouisions readie for the surprise of the baâ—e Towne which was effected in this sort There were appointed to bee landed 1200. men vnder the conduct of Colonell Huntley and Captaine Fenner the Vice-Admirall on that side next â—â—onting vs by water in long Boates and Pinnaces wherein were placed many Peeces of Artillery to beat vpon the Towne in their approach at the corner of the wall which defended the other water side were appointed Captain Richard Wing field Lieutenant Colonell to Generall Norris and Captaine Sampson Lieutenant Colonell to Generall Drake to enter at low water with fiue hundred men if they found it passable but if not to betake them to the Esâ—alade for they had also Ladders with them â—â—t the other corner of the wall which ioyned to that side that was attempted by water were appointed Colonell Umpton and Colonell Bret with three hundred men to enter by Escalade All the Companies which should enter by Boat being imbarked before the low water and hauing giuen the alarme Captaine Wingfield and Captaine Sampson betooke them to the Escalade for they had in commandement to charge all at one instant The Boats landed without any great difficultie yet had they some men hurt in landing Colonell Bret and Colonell Vmpton entred their quarter without encounter not finding any defence made against them for Captaine Hinder being one of them that entred by water at his first entry with some of his owne companie whom hee trusted well betooke himselfe to that part of the wall which hee cleered before that they offered to enter and so scoured the wall till he came on the backe of them who maintained the fight against Captaine Wingfield and Captaine Sampson who were twice beaten from their Ladders and found very good resistance till the enemies perceiuing ours entred in two places at their backes were driuen to abandon the same The reason why that place was longer defended then the other is as Don Iuan de Luna who commanded the same affirmeth that the enemie that day had resolued in counsell how to make their defences if they were approached and therein concluded that if wee attempted it by
enemy very strongly entrenched who with out shot beaten to the further end of the Bridge Sir Edward Norris marching in the point of the Pakes without stay passed to the Bridge accompanied with Colonell Sidney Captaine Hinder Captaine Fulford and diuers others who found the way cleere ouer the same but through an incredible volley of shot for that the shot of their Army flanked vpon both sides of the Bridge the further end whereof wâ—â— barricaâ—ed with Barrells but they who should haue guarded the same seeing the proud approach wee made forsooke the defence of the barricade where Sir Edward entred and charging the first defendant with his Pike with very earnestnesse in ouerthrusting fell and was grieuously hurt at the sword in the head but was most honourably rescued by the Generall his brother accompanied with Colonell Sidney and some other Gentlemen Captaine Hinder also hauing his Caske shot off bâ—â— fiue wounds in the head and face at the sword and Captaine Fulford was shot in the left arme at the same encounter yet were they so thorowly seconded by the Generall who thrust himselfe so neere to giue encouragement to the attempt which was of wonderfull difficultie as their brauest men that defended that place being ouer throwne their whole Army fell presently into rout of whom our men had the chase three miles in foure sundry waies which they betooke themselues vnto There was taken the Standard with the Kings Armes and borne before the Generall How many two thousand men for of so many consisted our Vantguard might kill in pursuit of foure sundry parties so many you may imagine fell before vs that day And to make the number more great our men hauing giuen ouer the execution and returning to their stands found many hidden in the Vineyards and Hedges which they dispatched Also Colonell Mâ—â—kerk was sent with his Regiment three miles further to a Cloister which hee burnt and spoiled wherein he found two hundred more and put them to the sword There were slaine in this fight on our side onely Captain Cooper and one priuate Souldier Captaine Barton was also hurt vpon the Bridge in the eye But had you seene the strong barricades they had made on either side of the Bridge and how strongly they lay encamped thereabouts you would haue thought it a rare resolution of ours to giue so braue a charge vpon an Armie so strongly lodged After the fury of the execution the Generall sent the Vantguard one way and the battell another to burne and spoile so as you might haue seene the Countrey more then three miles compasse on fire There was found very good store of Munition and victualls in the Campe some plate and rich apparell which the better sort left behind they were so hotly pursued Our Sailers also landed in an Iland next adioyning to our ships where they burnt and spoiled all they found Thus we returned to the Groine bringing small comfort to the enemy within the same who shot many times at vs as we marched out but not once in our comming backe againe The next day was spent in shipping our Artillery landed for the battery and of the rest taken at the Groine which had it beene such as might haue giuen vs any assurance of a better battery or had there beene no other purpose of our iourney but that I thinke the Generall would haue spent some more time in the siege of the place The two last nights there were that vndertooke to fire the higher Towne in one place where the houses were builded vpon the wall by the water side but they within suspecting as much made so good defence against vs as they preuented the same In our departure there was fire put into euerie house of the low Towne insomuch as I may iustly say there was not one house left standing in the base Towne or the Cloister The next day being the eight of May wee embarked our Armie without losse of a man which had wee not beaten the enemie at Puente de Burgos had beene impossible to haue done After we had put from thence we had the wind so contrarie as we could not vnder nine daies recouer the Burlings in which passage on the thirteenth day the Earle of Essex and with him M. Walter Douerâ—uâ— his brother a Gentleman of wonderfull great hope Sir Roger Williams Colonell Generall of the Footmen Sir Philip Butler who hath alwaies beene most inward with him and Sir Edward Wingfield came into the Fleet. The Earle put off in the same wind from Falmouth that wee left Plimouth in where he lay because he would auoid the importunitie of Messengers that were daily sent for his returne and some other causes more secret to himselfe not knowing as it seemed what place the Generals purposed to land in had bâ—n as far as Cadâ—â— in Andalâ—zia and lay vp and downe about the South Cape where hee tooke some Ships laden with Corne and brought them vnto the Fleet. Also in his returne from thence to meet with our Fleet he fell with the Ilands of Bayon and on that side of the Riuer which Cannas standeth vpon he with Sir Roger Williams and those Gentlemen that were with him went on shoare with some men out of the Ship he was in whom the enemy that held guard vpon that Coast would not abide but fled vp into the Countrey The sixteenth day we landed at Peniche in Portugal vnder the shot of the Castle and aboue the waste in the water more then a mile from the town wherin many were in peril of drowning by reason the wind was great and the Sea went high which ouerthrew one Boat wherein fiue and twentie of Captaine Dolphins men perished The enemy being fiue Companies of Spaniards vnder the commandement of Conde de Fuentas sallied out of the town against vs and in our landing made their approach close by the water side But the Earle of Essex with Sir Roger Williams and his brother hauing landed sufficient number to make two troupes left one to hold the way by the water side and led the other ouer the Sand-hills which the enemy seeing drew theirs likewise further into the Land not as we coniectured to encounter vs but indeed to make their speedie passage away notwithstanding they did it in such sort as being charged by ours which were sent out by the Colonell generall vnder Captaine Iacks 〈…〉 they stood the same euen to the push of the Pike in which charge and at the pâ—sh Captaine Robert Piâ—â— was slaine The enemy being fled further then we had reason to follow them all our Companies were drawne to the Town which being vnfortified in any place wee found vndefended by any man against vs. And therefore the Generall caused the Castle to bee summoned that night which being abandoned by him that commanded it a Portugall named Antonio de Aurid being possessed thereof desired but to be assured that Don Antonio was landed whereupon he would deliuer the same
time before they had carried all away Besides a great scorne and disgrace wee should doe our selues to enterprise nothing vpon them that had begun the warres shooting first at vs as we roade at ancor and then after their bringing downe to the water side so many Auncients did proudly as it were inuite vs to assaile them if we durst hauing withall hung out a red Flagge of defiance from the top of the high Fort. The hope of the wealth of this good Towne and the ransoming of Houses and Prisoners together with those brauadoes which they shewed did so set on fire all our Mariners and Souldiers as that they began to mutine and raile on the Reare Admirall and at all the Commanders there taxing them for these delaies as not daring to attempt the taking thereof Besides they were the more eagerly set vpon the spoile and gaining of this Towne and Fort for that they saw no great likelihood of benefit by this Voyage but what was gotten ashoare in the Islands In conclusion albeit we heard no newes of our Generall in two dayes more expectation yet at the counsell of Captaines which our Reare Admirall had assembled some of them varied much from the common desire and would by no meanes assent to the landing without my Lord Generall his knowledge And of this opinion was Sir Guilly Mericke Sir Nicholas Parker and some other Captaines Our Reare Admirall with Sir William Brooke my selfe Sir William Haruey and other Gentlemen and Commanders of our Reare Admirall his Squadron called to this consulation were of a contrary opinion iudging that my Lord Generall would repute vs but Idlers and Cowards to lye so long before so good a Towne with so many Ships and men and to doe nothing in his absence seeing them hourely before our eyes so fast to carry and packe away their goods and wealth And this was also 〈…〉 e common opinion and b 〈…〉 te as well of the multitude as of the Low Countrie Captaines But yet the violent and earnest perswasions of Sir Guillie Merricke did so preuaile with vs vrging our obedience and duetie to our Generall as that we staied from the Enterprise at that time and expected our Generals comming one day longer especially for that they perswaded vs if his Lordship came not the next day then themselues would also land with vs. Which when we had also expected in vain and the winde changing somewhat vnfit for that Roade our Reare Admirall and diuers of his Squadron and many other of the Ships following him weied and coasted about the point to the North-west side of the Island some foure miles further from the Towne then we were before and there let fall our ancors being then a better Roade then the first as the winde was changed But Sir Guillie Merricke with some fiue or sixe Ships of his consorts staied still in the first Roade and would not budge When we had in this sort changed our Roade and being now the fourth day of our arriuall before Fayall which was not aboue a daies sailing from the place from whence our Generall sent for vs wee might see before vs a very fine and pleasant Countrie full of little Villages and fruitfull fields and therefore we much desired to refresh our selues aland there with victuals and water as our Generall had promised we should doe when we came to Fayall and as diuers others had done before vs at Flores and as we had then but that we were called away to Fayall by Captaine Champernownes sodaine message from the Generall as was aforesaid And in truth we were in great want of fresh water which we had not renued since our setting out from Plimouth All these occasions considered and we being now retired from the Towne and Forts we all resolued that wee might without offence with a few of our owne men goe ashoare and refresh our selues and seeke for water whereupon we manned a Barge a long Boate and a Pinnace with threescore Muskets and forty Pikes rather to guard our selues in our landing and watering with discretion then expecting any encounter or resistance from the Towne or Forts on the other side of the Island But our men were no sooner placed in our Boates and all things ordered and we ready to put off from the Ships side but we might discouer sixe Auncients of foote and some dosen Horsemen comming on a speedy march from the Towne and Forts directly towards the place where wee were to make our discent for from one side of the high Fort on the Mountaine they might also ouerlooke vs where our ships roade and discouer all our preparation When we had a while aduised of this new Brauado that they went about and saw them still to come on faster with so many strong companies of men or at the least the bodies of men furnished with womens hearts and had made such haste as that they possessed themselues of the Trenches and Flankers where we were to land and there had placed their Companies and Collors attending our approach as they made shew by wauing their Swords and displaying their Auncients in great brauery for doubtlesse they thought we feard to land in their faces because we lay so long before the Town and neuer attempted any thing and were so shrunke aside off after they had prouoked vs so with great shot and many other affronts we seeing that pâ—â—portion of an hundred men prouided onely to guard our watering to be too few to assault and win a landing vpon so many in a place of so great disaduantage and yet disdaining to goe backe or make any shew of feare our Reare Admirall in his Barge rowed to Sir William Brookes Ship and to Sir William Harueyes and desired them and some other Sea Captaines to accompany him in landing with such men as conueniently they could furnish For said he seeing these Spaniards and Portugals are so gallant to seeke and follow vs and to keepe vs from watering wee will try our fortunes with them and either win our landing or gaine a beating Sir William Brooke Sir William Haruey and some others very willingly assented and presently there were made ready with shot and Pike one hundred and sixtie men more in Boates. And after this our Reare Admirall rowing by Captaine Bret Sidney White Berry and other Captaines of the Low Countrie Souldiers that were there abrood in other Ships they all cried out to take them and their companies with them assuring him that if he aduentured to land with Mariners and with his owne attendants without some Companies of Land Souldiers hee would receiue a disgrace He answered that he durst not take any of my Lord Generall his company of the Low Countries no knowing in what seruice he ment to vse them but he was resolued with the Gentlemen and company of his owne Squadron first to make a discent and then to call them and send Boates for them if he proceeded any further and that neither my Lord Generall nor
any of his traine should haue cause to be ashamed of vs for vndertaking that in the face of our Enemies which we durst not follow and performe And therefore told those Captaines that hee would first attempt to win a landing and then after if they could but second him ashoare with two hundred men more hee would vndertake to lodge them that night in the Towne and the next night after in the Forts These Captaines were all glad of the newes and promised to come after vs if we would send our Boates for them for most of their Ships had lost their Boates with foule weather This order and direction being giuen we hasted as fast as our Oares could ply without the company of any Low Countrie Souldiers being as I said two hundred and sixty strong and the enemy more then the double as many to the landing place which was first guarded with a mighty ledge of Rockes some forty paces long into the Sea and afterwards trenched and flanked with earth and stone and onely a narrow lane betweene two wals left for our Entrance But withall we caused some of our Pinnaces that carried Ordnance to lye as close to the shoare as they could to flanke and beate vpon them in their trenches a little before and iust as wee made our approach which we found to good purpose and as well performed especially by one Captaine Banker in a fine Flee Boate of the Flemmish Squadron But if there had bin but one hundred Low Countrie Spaniards at that defence it had cost many of our liues yet perhaps haue missed our purpose too For a small company with any resolution might haue made good that place against a farre greater force then ours were at that time But as we made onwards with our Boats the shot plaied so thicke vpon vs as that in truth the Mariners would scarce come forwards hauing the lesser liking to the businesse the neerer they came to it And in like sort did I see some there stagger and stand blanke that before made great shewes and would gladly be taken for valiant Leaders and some of these our Reare Admirall did not spare to call vpon openly and rebuke aloud with disgracefull words seeing their basenesse And withall finding a generall amazement amongst the Mariners and as it were a stay amongst all the Boates well p 〈…〉 ceiuing that this manner of houering was both more disgracefull and also more vnsafe lying so open to the enemies shot which through feare and amazement the Mariners and Rowers neither obserued nor vnderstood with a loud voice commanded his Watermen to rowe in full vpon the Rockes and bad as many as were not afraid to follow him Hereupon some Boates ran in with vs and out of them there landed Master Garret a Pentioner now Earle of Kildare a Noble and valiant Gentleman Sir William Brooke Sir William Haruey Sir Iohn Scot Master Duke Brooke Captaine Henry Thinne Captaine White Master Thomas Rugeway Master Walter Chute Captaine Arthur Radford Master Henry Allen. Captaine William Morgan Master Charles Mackart and diuers other Gentlemen whose names I would not omit if I could call them all to minde And so clambring ouer the rockes and wading through the water we passed pell mell with Swords Shot and Pikes vpon the narrow Entrance Whereupon those that were at the defence after some little resistance began to shrinke and then seeing vs to come faster on vpon them suddenly retiring cast away their weapons turned their backes and fled and the like did the rest in the higher Trenches and quickly recouered the hils and the woods being a people very swift and nimble of foote for we could take none of them but such as after yeelded vnto vs. And as for their Auncients we could not recouer one for the Horsemen that they had carried them cleane away And in this sort we gained both our landing and our Enemies Trenches In which attempt some few men were drowned and slaine diuers hurt and two long Boates bulged and lost And after that we saw all things cleare we assembled our Troopes together and refreshed ourselues with such comfort as we had there which done we sent backe our Boates for those Low Countrie Captaines afterward who vpon their arriuall congratulated our good successe in taking so strong a peece of ground fortified and guarded with so many men When these Captaines were come vnto vs we then tooke our selues to be a prettie Armie being then in strength to the number of foure hundred and sixtie well armed and appointed whereof there were of Captaines and Gentlemen of good sort thirty or forty which gaue great life to the businesse And hauing done so much already we then thought it the best way to goe through with the matter and to prepare the Towne in a readinesse for our Generall and to make our selues Burgesses thereof in the meane season and therefore our Reare Admirall appointed Captaine Bret to vse the Office of Sergeant Maior and gaue direction to the other Captaines to aduance their Colours and to call their Companies together in a readinesse and so putting our Troopes in order we marched directly toward the Towne where by the way diuers of these same very Spaniards and Portugals that a little before so braued vs came and rendred themselues in great humility with white Napkins on the end of stickes all whom wee receiued and well intreated vsing some for Guides and some for our Carriages and others to fetch vs in fresh Victuals and Fruites And it is worth the noting to see the farre differing humors vpon the change of Fortunes in these Spaniards and Portugals For where they conquer or command no people are so proud and insolent and when they are once mastered and subdued no Nation of the world so base or fuller of seruile crouching and obseruance as though on a sodaine Nature had framed them in a new mould so soone in an instant will they fall from soueraigntie to slauery And surely at home they are in generall but a baggage people tamorous and very vnwarlike As we haue well experienced by seuerall inuasions whereof one Army was conducted by Sir Iohn Norris and Sir Francis Drake to Lisbona and the other by the Earle of Essex and the Lord Admirall Howard to Cadis without any resistance encounter in the field or show of assayling our forces by battaile all the while we stated there But afterwards with a little hardening and hartening in the Warres wee see them proue very braue and valiant Souldiers This Towne was some foure miles from this landing place and all the Country in which wee marched very champion with pretty little rising hils and all the fields ouer full of Mellons Potatoes and other Fruites Betweene vs and the Towne was this high Fort whereof I spake before and that other Fort at the end of the Towne By these two we were resolued to passe the better thereby to discouer