Bucaniers of America the second volume : containing the dangerous voyage and bold attempts of Captain Bartholomew Sharp, and others, performed upon the coasts of the South Sea, for the space of two years, &c. : from the original journal of the said voyage / written by ... Basil Ringrose, Gent., who was all along present at those transactions.

CHAP. XVI. The Bucaniers depart from the Isle of Juan Fer∣nandez, unto that of Yqueque. Here they take several Prisoners, and learn intelligence of the posture of affairs at Arica. Cruelty committed upon one of the said prisoners, who had rightly informed them. They attempt Arica the second time, and take the Town, but are beaten out of it again before they could plunder, with great loss of men, many of them being killed, wounded, and made Prisoners. Captain Watling their chief Commander is killed in this Attacque, and Captain Sharp presently chosen again, who lea∣deth them off, and through Mountains of diffi∣culties, maketh a bold Retreat unto the ship.

HAving bid our enemies adieu, after the manner as was said in the precedent Chapter,* 1.1 the next morning being January the 14th. we bore N. E. We reckoned this day a N.N.E. one quarter South way, and by it, thirty Leagues. We were four Leagues Eastward from the Isle of Juan Fernandez, when I took our departure.

Saturday January the 15th, we had hasey weather. This day we made by a N. E. by N. way eleven Leagues. The same hasey weather continued in like manner the 16th. But about ten that morning the wind dyed away. Our reckoning was a N.E. by N. way, and thirty six Leagues.

On the 17th we had a soft gale, and a clear observati∣on. We found by it Lat. 28 d. 47 S. Easting seventy Leagues. The next day we had likewise a clear day, and

we reckoned by a N· E. by N. way, thirty one leagues. By observation Lat. 27 d. 29 South.

Wednesday January the 19th, we had a clear day, as before,* 1.2 and reckoned a N. E. by N. way, and thirty five Leagues and two thirds. By observation we took Lat. 25 d. 00. South. This day we put up our top-gallant masts and sails, the which we had taken down at the Island of Juan Fernandez, when we thought to have gone directly from thence for the Straights of Magallanes. But now our resolutions were changed, and our course was bent for Ari∣ca, that rich place, the second time, to try what good we could do upon it by another attempt, in order to the ma∣king all our fortunes there. In the evening of this day we saw Land at a great distance.

* 1.3January the 20th, about midnight past we had a small Land-wind that sprang up and reached us. At break of day we could descry Land again, at the distance of nine or ten Leagues more or less. This day was very hot and calme, Easting ninety two Leagues.

On the 21. we had very little wind, and all along as we went we could descry high land, and that barren. We sai∣led N. by E. and N.N.E. along the Coast of the Continent.

The next day being Saturday the 22 of January, we had very hot weather.* 1.4 This day we sailed N. and N. by E. and looked out continually for the Island of Yqueque, which our Pilot told us was hereabouts. We kept at a just di∣stance from Land, for fear of being descryed by the ene∣my.

On the following day, Sunday the 23. we sailed in like manner N.N.E. along the Coast, which seemeth to be ve∣ry full of Bays hereabouts. By observation this day, we took Lat. 21 d. 49. South.

Munday January the 24th, this day we had an indiffe∣rent gale of wind,* 1.5 and we stood N. and by E. the wind be∣ing S.S.E. We found Latitude by observation 21 d. 02 South. Our whole Easting I reckoned to be ninety two leagues and an half. In the afternoon of this day Captain

Watling our Commander, and twenty five men more de∣parted from the ship in two Canoas, with design to seek for, and take the Island of Yqueque, and there to gain intelli∣gence of the posture of affairs at Arica. We were at the distance of twelve leagues from shoar, when they went a∣way from the ship.

The next day by a clear observation,* 1.6 we found Lat. 20 d. 40 South. At four in the afternoon this day, returned one of our Canoas, bringing word that they could not find the Island, though they had searched for it very diligently. At night came the other, being brought back by a wrong sign given us by the first Canoa. This second Canoa had landed upon the Continent, and there found a track, the which they followed for some little space. Here they met a dead Whale, with whose bones the Spaniards had built a Hut, and set up a Cross. There lay also many pieces of broken Jars. They observed likewise, that hereabouts up∣on the Coast were many Bays, good landing, and anchoring for ships. That evening about seven of the clock, a fresh gang departed from the ship to seek for the same Island, mean while we lay becalmed all night, driving about a league to leeward.

Wednesday January the 26th,* 1.7 we had extream hot wea∣ther. This day the Spanish Pilot told us, that on the Con∣tinent over against us, and at the distance of a very little way within the Land, are many rich Mines of Silver, but that the Spaniards dared not to open them for fear of an Invasion from some Forreign enemy or other. We sailed North, at the distance of about two leagues from shoar. At noon we had an observation, and found Lat. 20 d. 21 S. At four of the clock we saw a smoak made by our men,* 1.8 close by a white clift, which proved to be the Island. Here∣upon we immediately sent away another Canoa with more men, to supply them in their attempts. But in the mean while the first Canoa which had departed the evening be∣fore this day, came aboard, bringing with them four priso∣ners, two old white men, and two Indians.

* 1.9The other Canoa which set out last, brought back Mo∣lossus, Fish, and two Jars of wine. To windward of the said Island, is a small village of eighteen or twenty houses, having a small Chappel nigh unto it, built of stone, and for adornment thereof, it is stuck full of Hides, or the skins of Seals. They found about fifty people in this Hamlet, but the greatest part of them made their escape at the ar∣rival of the Canoa. Unto this Island do frequently come Barks from Arica, which City is not far distant from thence to fetch clay, and they have already transported a∣way a considerable part thereof. The poor Indians, Inha∣bitants or Natives of this Island, are forced to bring all the fresh water they use, the full distance of eleven leagues from thence, that is to say, from a River name Camarones, which lyeth to Leeward of the Island. The Barque where∣in they used to bring it, was then gone for water, when our men landed upon the place. The Island all over is white, but the bowels thereof are of a reddish sort of earth. From the shoar is seen here a great path which leadeth o∣ver the Mountains into the Country. The Indians of this Island use to eat much and often, a sort of Leaves that are of a tast much like unto our Bay-leaves in England. Inso∣much, that their teeth are died of a green colour, by the continual use thereof. The Inhabitants go stark naked, and are very robust and strong people; yet notwithstand∣ing they live more like beasts than men.

* 1.10Thursday January the 27th, this morning on board the ship, we examined one of the old men, who were taken prisoners upon the Island the day before. But finding him in many Lies, as we thought, concerning Arica, our Com∣mander ordered him to be shot to death, which was accor∣dingly done. Our old Commander Captain Sharp was much troubled in his mind and dissatisfyed at this cruelty and rash proceeding; whereupon he opposed it as much as he could. But seeing he could not prevail, he took wa∣ter and washed his hands,* 1.11 saying, Gentlemen, I am clear of the bl••od of this old man; and I will warrant you a hot day

for this piece of cruelty, whenever we come to fight at Arica. These words were found at the latter end of this expediti∣on of Arica, to contain a true and certain prophesie, as shall be related hereafter.

The other old man being under examination, informed us, that the Island of Yqueque afore-mentioned,* 1.12 belonged unto the Governour of Arica, who was Proprietor thereof; and that he allowed unto these men a little wine, and other Necessaries, to live upon for their sustenance. That he himself had the superintendance of forty or fifty of the Governours slaves, who caught fish and dryed it, for the profit of the said Governour; and he sold it afterwards to the inland Towns, and reaped a considerable benefit there∣by. That by a Letter received from Arica, eight days ago, they understood there was then in the Harbour of A∣rica, three ships from Chile, and one Bark. That they had raised there a Fortification mounted with Twelve Copper Guns. But that when we were there before, they had con∣veyed out of the Town unto the neighbouring stantions, all their Plate, Gold, and Jewels, burying it there in the ground, and concealing it after several manners and ways. The which whether it were now returned or not, he could not easily tell. That there were two great places, the one at ten, the other at twenty five leagues distance from Ari∣ca, at which Towns lay all their strength and treasure. That the day before had passed a Post to declare our having been at Coquimbo. That the Embargo laid on all vessels going to the Northward, was now taken off; so that a free pas∣sage was allowed them. That by Land it was impossible to go from hence unto Arica in less than four or five days, for as much as they must carry water for themselves and Horses for the whole journey. At last, that those Arms that were brought from Lima unto Arica, as was mentioned above, were now carryed away from thence unto Buenos Ayres. All these things pleased us mighty well to hear them. But however, Captain Sharp was still much dissa∣tisfyed, by reason we had shot the old man. For he had

given us information to the full, and with all manner of truth, how that Arica was greatly fortified, and much more than before; but our misfortune was, that we took his information to be all contrary to the truth.

The leaves of which we made mention above, are brought down unto this Island in whole Bales,* 1.13 and then distributed unto the Indians by a short allowance given to each man. This day we had very hot weather, and a S. W. Sea. By observation we found Lat. 20 d. 13 South. Besides the things above-mentioned, our prisoners inform∣ed us, that at Arica the Spaniards had built a breast-work round about the Town; and one also in every street, that in case one end of the Town were taken, they might be a∣ble to defend the other. We stood off and in for the grea∣test part of this day. In the afternoon we were eight leagues and an half distant from shoar, with a fresh wind. That morning moreover we took the Barque that was at the River of Camarones, to fill water for the Island.

Friday January the 28th, last night about midnight we left the ship,* 1.14 and embarked our selves in the Barque afore-mentioned, the Lanch, and four Canoas, with design to take Arica by surprizal. We rowed and sailed all night, making in for the shoar.

Saturday January the 29th, about break of day this day, we got under shoar,* 1.15 and there hid our selves among the Rocks for all the day long, fearing lest we should be des∣cryed by the enemy, before we came to Arica. At this time we were about five leagues to Southward of Arica, nigh Quebrada de San Vitor, a place so called upon that Coast. Night being come, we rowed away from thence.

Sunday January the 30th, 1680. this day (being the day that is consecrated in our English Kalendar,* 1.16 unto the Mar∣tyrdom of our glorious King Charles the First) in the morning about Sun-rise, we landed amongst some Rocks, at the distance of four miles, more or less, to the Southward from Arica. We put on shoar ninety two men in all, the rest remaining in the Boats, to keep and defend them from

being surprized by the enemy, to the intent we might leave behind us a safe retreat, in case of necessity. Unto these men we left strict orders, that if we made one smoak from the Town, or adjoyning fields, they should come af∣ter us towards the harbour of Arica with one Canoa; but in case we made two, that they should bring all away, leaving only fifteen men in the Boats. As we marched from our landing place towards the Town, we mounted a very steep hill, and saw from thence no men, nor Forces of the enemy; which caused us to hope we were not as yet des∣cryed, and that we should utterly surprize them. But when we were come about half of the way unto the Town, we espied three horsemen, who mounted the Look-out hill; and seeing us upon our march, they rid down full speed towards the City, to give notice of our approach. Our Commander Watling chose out forty of our number, to attaque the Fort, and sent us away first thitherwards, the rest being designed for the Town.* 1.17 We that were appoint∣ed for the Fort, had ten hand Granadoes among us, when we gave the assault, and with them, as well as with our other Arms, we attacked the Castle, and exchanged several shot with our enemies. But at last, seeing our main body in danger of being overborn with the number of our ene∣mies, we gave over that attempt on the Fort, and ran down in all hast unto the valley, to help and assist them in the fight. Here the Battel was very desperate, and they kil∣led three, and wounded two more of our men from their out-works, before we could gain upon them. But our rage encreasing with our wounds, we still advanced, and at last beat the enemy out of all, and filled every street in the City with dead bodies. The enemy made several retreats unto several places, from one breast-work to another;* 1.18 and we had not a sufficient number of men wherewith to man all places taken. Insomuch, that we had no sooner beat them out of one place, but they came another way, and man'd it again with new Forces and fresh men.

* 1.19We took in every place where we vanquished the ene∣my, great number of Prisoners, more indeed, then perad∣venture we ought to have done, or we kn••w well what to do withal; they being too many for such a small body as ours was to manage. These prisoners informed us, that we had been descryed no less than three days before, from the Island of Yqueque, whereby they were in expectation of our arrival every hour, as knowing we had still a design to make a second attempt upon that place. That into the City were come four hundred Souldiers from Lima, the which, besides their own, had brought seven hundred Arms for the use of the Country-people; and that in the Town they had six hundred armed men, and in the Fort three hundred.

* 1.20Being now in possession of the City, or the greatest part thereof, we sent unto the Fort, commanding them to sur∣render. But they would not vouchsafe to send us any an∣swer. Hereupon we advanced towards it, and gave it a se∣cond Attaque, wherein we persisted very vigorously for a long time. Being not able to carry it, we got upon the top of a house that stood nigh unto it, and from thence fi∣red down into the Fort, killing many of their men, and wounding them at our ease and pleasure. But mean while we were busyed in this Attaque, the rest of the enemies For∣ces had taken again several Posts of the Town, and began to surround us in great numbers, with design to cut us off. Hereupon we were constrained to desist the second time,* 1.21 as before, from assaulting the Fort, and make head against them. This we no sooner had done, but their numbers and vigour increasing every moment, we found our selves to be over powred, and consequently we thought it conve∣••••ent to retreat unto the plaee where our wounded men 〈◊〉〈◊〉, under the hands of our Surgeons, that is to say, our 〈◊〉〈◊〉. At this time our new Commander Captain 〈◊〉〈◊〉, both our Quartermasters, and a great many o〈…〉〈…〉 our men were killed, besides those that were woun∣•••••• and disabled to fight. So that now the enemy rally∣ing

against us, and beating us from place to place, we were in a very distracted condition, and in more likelihood to perish every man, than escape the bloodiness of that day. Now we found the words of Captain Sharp to bear a true prophesie, being all very sensible, that we had had a day too hot for us, after that cruel heat in killing and murdering in cold blood, the old Mestizo Indian whom we had taken prisoner at Yqueque, as before was mentioned.

Being surrounded with difficulties on all sides, and in great disorder,* 1.22 as having no head nor leader to give orders for what was to be done, we were glad to turn our eyes unto our good and old Commander Captain Bartholomew Sharp, and beg of him very earnestly to commiserate our condition, and carry us off. It was a great while that we were reiterating our supplications unto him, before he would take any notice of our request in this point. So much was he displeased with the former mutiny of our people a∣gainst him, all which had been occasioned by the insti∣gation of Mr. Cook. But Sharp is a man of an undaunted courage, and of an excellent conduct, not fearing in the least to look an insulting enemy in the face, and a person that knoweth both the Theory and practical parts of Na∣vigation, as well as most do. Hereupon, at our request and earnest petition,* 1.23 he took upon him the command in chief again, and began to distribute his orders for our safety. He would have brought off our Surgeons, but that they had been drinking in the mean while that we assaulted the Fort, and thus would not come with us when they were called. They killed and took of our number twenty eight men, besides eighteen more that we brought off, who were desperately wounded. At this time we were all ex∣tream faint for want of water and victuals, whereof we had had none all that day. Moreover, we were almost choaked with the dust of the Town; this being so much raised by the work that their great Guns had made, that we could scarcely see each other. They beat us out of the Town, and then followed us into the Savanas, or open fields,

still charging us as fast as they could. But when they saw that we rallyed again, resolving to dye one by another, they then ran from us into the Town, and sheltred them∣selves under their breast-works. Thus we retreated in as good order as we could possibly observe in that confusion. But their Horsemen followed us as we retired, and fired at us all the way, though they would not come within reach of our Guns; for their own reached farther then ours, and out-shot us more than one third. We took the sea-side for our greater security; the which when the enemy saw, they betook themselves unto the Hills, rowling down great stones, and whole Rocks to destroy us. In the mean while those of the Town examined our Surgeons, and other men whom they had made prisoners. These gave them our signs that we had left unto our Boats that were behind us, so that they immediately blew up two smoaks, which were perceived by the Canoas. This was the greatest of our dangers. For had we not come at that instant that we did, unto the sea-side, our Boats had been gone, they be∣ing already under sail, and we had inevitably perished eve∣ry man. Thus we put off from the shoar, and got on board about ten of the clock at night, having been invol∣ved in a continual and bloody fight with the enemy all that day long.

Notes

• * 1.1

  They leave the Isle of J. Fer∣nandez.
• * 1.2

  They resol••e for Arica.
• * 1.3

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 look out for Yqueque.
• * 1.5

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.6

  They find it not.
• * 1.7

  Rich Mines on the Conti∣nent.
• * 1.8

  The Island i••▪ ••ound.
• * 1.9

  An account of the Island.
• * 1.10

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.11

  Sharp 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at it.
• * 1.12

  Another priso∣ner examined.
• * 1.13

  They take the Barq••e of the Island.
• * 1.14

  They embark in the Boats for Arica.
• * 1.15

  They lye hid∣den by day.
• * 1.16

  They land and atta••••e the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.17

  They assault the Fort.
• * 1.18

  The Town ta∣ken.
• * 1.19

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.20

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.21

  The spaniards 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.22

  Sharp is chosen anew.
• * 1.23

  They retreat with great difficulty.