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HAving got in all things necessary for Navigation, we were now in a readiness to depart, on Sunday June the 6th 1680. That day we had some rain fell, which
now was very frequent in all places. About five of the clock in the evening we set sail from the Island of Cayboa, with a small breez, the wind being at S. S. W. Our course was E. S. by E and S. E. having all night a very small, or little wind. The same calmness of weather continued all the next day; insomuch, that we lay and drove only as the current horsed us to N. W.
Little better then a calm we had also the third day of our Navigation. Mean while a current drove us to the West∣ward. About Sun-rising we descryed Quicara, which at that time bore N.W. by W. from us; at the distance of five Leagues▪ more or less. With the rising of the Sun an easie gale of wind sprung up, so that at noon we had altered our bearing, which was then N. by E. being six Leagues di∣stant, and appearing thus, as is underneath demonstrated.
These are two several Islands, whereof the least is to the Southward of the other. The Land is a low table Land: these Islands being more than three Leagues in length. About six of the clock that evening, we were nigh ten Leagues distant W.S.W. from them. Much like unto the former weather we had the fourth day of our Sailing, with little wind in the forenoon, and rather less than more in the afternoon. I judged about the middle of the day, we were at the distance of twenty Leagues S. S. W. from the said Islands.
Thursday June the Tenth, we had very small and varia∣ble winds. This day I reckoned that we had made hither∣to
a S. by E. way, and a S. by W. from our departure; be∣ing driven by a current, according to the observation I made, into the Latitude of six degrees and thirty minutes.
This day we saw much Tortoise floating upon the Sea. Hereupon, we hoisted out our Boat, and came to one of them, who offered not to stir until she was struck; and even then not to sink to the bottom, but rather to swim away. The sea hereabouts is very full of several sorts of Fish, as Dolphins, Bonitos, Albicores, Mullets, and Old Wives, &c. which came swimming about our ship in whole shoals. The next day, which was Friday, we had likewise very lit∣tle wind; which was no more than we had all Thursday night, with some showers of rain. That day we had an observation, which was six deg. N. latitude. In the even∣ing a fresh wind came up at S. W. our course being S. S. E. On Saturday we had in like manner, about seven in the morning, a fresh breeze at South. So we stood W. S. W. with cloudy weather, and several showers of rain. This day our Spanish prisoners informed us, we must not expect any setled wind, until we came within the Latitude of three degrees. For all along the Western shoar of these seas, there is little wind; which is the cause that those ships that go from Acapulco unto the Islands called de las Philippinas, do coast along the shoar of California, until they get into the heighth of forty five degrees; yea sometimes of fifty de∣grees latitude. As the wind varyed, so we tacked several times, thereby to make the best of our way that was possi∣ble to the Southward.
As our Prisoners had informed us, so we found it by ex∣perience. For on the next day, which was Sunday June the 13th, we had very little wind, and most commonly none, for the space of twenty four hours. 〈…〉〈…〉 we tryed the current of the sea, and found it very strong to the Eastward. The same day we had much rain, and in the afternoon a small breeze at West, and West South West, but mostly at West. Yet notwithstanding all this calmness of weather, the next day in the morning very early, by a sud∣dain
gale of wind which arose, we made shift to split our main top-••ail. We had all the night before, and that day, continual and incessant showers of rain, and made a S. W. and by south way; seeing all along as we went a multitude of Dolphins, Bonitos, and several other sorts of fish floating upon those Seas, whereof in the afternoon we caught ma∣ny, the weather being now changed from stormy to calm again; insomuch that we could fish as we sailed along, or rather as we lay tumbling in the calm.
Tuesday June the 15th, the morning continued calm, as the day ••efore; and this day also we saw multitudes of fish of several sorts, whereof we caught some for our Ta∣ble as we were wont to do. By an observation which was made this day, we found our selves to be now in the lati∣tude of four degrees and twenty one minutes. At this time the course of our Navigation, and our whole design was to go and careen our Vessels at the Islands commonly called by the Spaniards, de los Galapagos, that is to say, of the Tortoises, being so denominated from the infinite num∣ber of those Animals swarming and breeding thereabouts. These Islands are situated under the Aequinoctial Line, at the distance of a hundred Leagues more or less from the main Continent of America, in the South Sea. In the af∣ternoon of this day we had a small breeze to push us for∣wards.
June the 16th being Wednesday, we made our way this day, and for the four and twenty hours last past, E.S. E. with much rain, which ceased not to fall, as in all this Voyage, since our departure from Cayboa. This day likewise we caught several Dolphins, and other sorts of fish. But in the evening we had again a fresh breeze at S. by W. our course being, as was just now said, E. S. E.
The next day, which was June the 17th, about five in the morning we descryed Land, which appeared all along to be very low, and likewise full of Creeks and Bays. We instantly asked our Pilot what Land that was before us? But he replyed, he knew it not. Hereupon, being doubt∣ful
of our condition, we called Mr. Cox on board us, who brought Captain Peralta with him. This Gentleman be∣ing asked, presently told us, the Land we saw was the Land of Barbacoa, being almost a wild Country all over. With∣al, he informed us, that to Leeward of us, at the distance of ten Leagues, or thereabouts, did lye an Island called by the name of Gorgona; the which Island, he said, the Spaniards did shun, and very seldom come nigh unto, by reason of the incessant and continual rains there falling; scarce one day in the year being dry at that place. Captain Sharp having heard this information of Captain Peralta, judged the said Island might be the fittest place for our company to careen at; considering, that if the Spaniards did not frequent it, we might in all probability lye there undiscryed, and our Enemies the Spaniards, in the mean time might think, that we were gone out of those Seas. At this time it was, that I seriously repented my staying in the South Seas, and that I did not return homewards in company of them that went before us. For I knew, and could easily perceive, that by these delays the Spaniards would gain time, and be able to send advice of our coming to every Port all along the Coast, so that we should be prevented in all, or most of our at∣tempts and designs wheresoever we came. But those of our company, who had got money by the former Prizes of this Voyage, overswayed the others who had lost all their booty at gaming. Thus we bore away for the Island afore∣said of Gorgona, and at the distance of six Leagues and an half, at S.W. I observed it to make the appearance following.
On the main Land over against this Island of Gorgona, we were told by our prisoners, that up a great Laguna, or Lake, is seated an Indian Town, where they have great quan∣tity of sand grains of Gold. Moreover, that five days journey up a River, belonging to the said Laguna, do dwell four Spanish Superintendents, who have each of them the charge of overseeing fifty or sixty Indians, who are em∣ployed in gathering that Gold which slippeth from the chief Collectors, or finders thereof These are at least three∣score and ten, or fourscore Spaniards, with a great number of slaves belonging unto them, who dwell higher up then these four Superintendents, at the distance of twenty five or thirty days Journey on the said River. That once eve∣ry year, at a certain season, there cometh a vessel from Li∣ma, the Capital City of Peru, to fetch the Gold that here is gathered; and withal, to bring unto these people such Ne∣cessaries as they want. By Land it is nothing less than six weeks travel from thence to Lima.
The main Land to windward of this Island is very low, and full of Rivers. All along the Coast it raineth most desperately. The Island is distant from the Continent ••••ly the space of four Leagues. Mean while we lay at it, I took the whole circumference thereof, which is accor∣ding to what is here underneath described.
Captain Sharp gave unto this Island the name of Sharps Isle, by reason we careened at this place. We anchored on the South side of the Island, at the mouth of a very ••ine River, which there disgorgeth it self into the Sea. There belong unto this Island about thirty Rivers and Rivolets, all which fall from the Rocks on the several sides of the Island. The whole circumference thereof is about three L••agues and an half round, being all high and mountai∣nous land, excepting only on that side where we cast An∣chor. Here therefore we moor'd our ship in the depth of eighteen or twenty fathom water, and began to unrig the vessel. But we were four or five days space before we could get our Sails dry, so as to be able to take them from the yards, there falling a shower of rain almost every hour of the day and night. The main Land to the East of the Island, and so stretching Northward, is extream high and towering, and withal perpetually clouded, excepting only at the rising of the Sun, at which time the tops of those hills are clear. From the South side of this Island where we Ankored, as was said above, we could see the low-land of the main; at least a point thereof which lyeth nearest unto the Island. The appearance it maketh, is as it were of Trees growing out of the water.
Friday July the second, as we were heaving down our ship, our Main-mast hapned to crack. Hereupon our Car∣penters were constrained to cut out large fishes, and fish it, as the usual terms of that art do name the thing.
On the next day after the mischance of our Main-mast, we killed a Snake which had fourteen inches in circumfe∣rence, and was eleven foot in length. About the distance of a League from this Island, runneth a ledge of Rocks, over which the water continually breaketh; the ledge be∣ing about two miles, more or less, in length. Had we an∣cho••'d but half a mile more Northerly, we had rid in much smoother water; for here where we were, the wind came ••n upon us in violent gusts. Mean while we were there, from June the thirtie••h, to July the third, we had dry wea∣ther,
which was esteemed as a rarity by the Spaniards our prisoners. And every day we saw Whales and Grampusses, who would often come and drive under our ship. We fi∣red at them several times, but our Bullets rebounded from their bodies. Our choice and best provisions here, were Indian Conies, Monkeys, Snakes, Oysters, Cunks, Periwinkles, and a few small Turtle, with some other sorts of good fish. Here in like manner we caught a Sloath, a beast well deser∣ving that name, given it by the Spaniards, by whom it is called Pereza, from the Latin word Pigritia.
At this Island dyed Josephe Gabriel, a Spaniard, born in Chile, who was to have been our Pilot unto Panama. He was the same man who had stolen and married the Indian Kings Daughter, as was mentioned above. He had all a∣long been very true and faithful unto us, in discovering se∣veral Plots and Conspiracies of our prisoners, either to get away or destroy us. His death was occasioned by a Ca∣lenture, or Malignant Feaver, which killed him after three days sickness, having lain two days senceless. During the time of our stay at this Island, we lengthned our top-sail-yards, and got up top gallant masts; we made two stay-sails, and refitted our ship very well. But we wanted Provisions extreamly, as having nothing considerable of any sort, but flower and water. Being almost ready to depart, Captain Sharp our Commander, gave us to understand, he had changed his resolution concerning the design of going to Guayaquil, for he thought it would be in vain to go thi∣ther, considering, that in all this time we must of necessity be descried before now. Yet notwithstanding he himself before had perswaded us to stay. Being very doubtful a∣mong our selves what course we should take, a certain old man, who had long time sailed among the Spaniards, told us, he could carry us to a place called Arica. Unto which Town, he said, all the Plate was brought down from Potosi, Chuquisaca, and several other places within the Land, where it was d••gged out of the Mountains and Mines. And that he doubted not, but that we might get there of purchase
at least two thousand pound every man. For all the Plate of the South Sea lay there as it were in store; being de∣posited at the said place, until such time as the ships did fetch it away. Being moved with these reasons, and ha∣ving deliberated thereupon, we resolved in the end to go unto the said place. At this Island of Gorgona afore-men∣tioned, we likewise took down our Round-house coach, and all the high carved work belonging to the stern of the ship. For when we took her from the Spaniards before Panama, she was high as any Third-Rate ship in England.
They set sail from Cayboa.
Quicara 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
Much Tortoise and other fish.
Inconstancy of win••••.
How the Spa¦niards go to Philippinas▪
Great calme.
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G••eat rains all 〈…〉〈…〉.
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The Island of Gorgona, and i••s qualities.
They resolve to careen there.
A pla••e where Gol•• is ga∣thered.
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A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Snake.
Whales and Grampuss•••• at Gorgona.
A Sloath ta∣ken.
Deat•• of a Spanish priso∣ner.
They change resolution.
They d••sign for Arica.