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. I. Captain Coxon, Sawkins, Sharp, and others, set forth in a Fleet towards the Province of Darien, upon the Continent of America. Their designs to pillage and plunder in those parts. Number of their Ships, and strength of their Forces by Sea and Land.

AT a place called Boca del Toro,* 1.1 was the gene∣ral Rendezvouz of the Fleet, which lately had taken and sackt Puerto Velo the second time; that rich place having been plundered once before, under the Conduct of Sir Henry Mor∣gan, as is related in the History of the Bucaniers. At this

place also were two other Vessels; the one belonging un∣to Captain Peter Harris, and the other unto Captain Ri∣chard Sawkins; both Englishmen and Privateers. Here therefore a report was made unto the Fleet, of a Peace concluded between the Spaniards and the Indians of the Land of Darien, who for the most part wage incessant Wars against one another. Also, that since the conclusion of the said Peace, they had been already tryed, and found very faithful unto Captain Bournano, a French Commander, in an attempt on a certain place called Chepo, nigh the South Sea. Further, that the Indians had promised to conduct him unto a great and very rich place, named Toca∣mora: upon which he had likewise promised them to re∣turn in three Months time with more Ships and Men. Hereupon we all agreed to go visit the said place, and thus dispersed our selves into several Coves,* 1.2 (by the Spaniards called Cúèvas, or hollow creeks under the Coasts) there to careen and fit our Vessels for that purpose. In this place Boca del Toro, we found plenty of fat Tortoises; the plea∣santest meat in the world. When we had refitted our Ves∣sels, we met at an Island, called by us, the Water-key; and this was then our strength, as followeth.

	Tuns.	Guns.	Men.
Captain Coxon in a Ship of	80	8	97
Captain Harris in another of	150	25	107
Captain Bournáno	90	6	86
Captain Sawkins	16	1	35
Captain Sharp	25	2	40
Captain Cook	35	00	43
Captain Alleston	18	00	24
Captain Row	20	00	25
Captain Macket	14	00	20

* 1.3We sailed from thence March the 23. 1679. and in our way touched at the Islands called Zamblas. These are cer∣tain Islands reaching eight Leagues in extent, and lying fourteen Leagues Westward of the River of Darien. Being here at an Anchor, many of the Indians, both men and

women, came to see us. Some brought Plantans, others other Fruits, and Venison, to exchange with us for Beads, Needles, Knives, or any trifling bauble whereof they stand in need. But what they most chiefly covet are Axes and Hatchets to sell Timber withal. The men here go naked,* 1.4 as having only a sharp and hollow tip, made either of Gold, Silver, or Bark, into which they thrust their Privy Mem∣bers; the which tip they fasten with a string about their middle. They wear as an ornament in their Noses, a gol∣den or silver Plate, in shape like unto a Half Moon; which when they drink, they hold up with one hand, mean while they lift the cup with the other. They paint themselves sometimes with streaks of black; as the women do in like manner, with red. These have in their Noses a pretty thick ring of Gold or Silver; and for cloathing, they cover themselves with a Blanket. They are generally well featu∣red women: among whom I saw several fairer than the fairest of Europe, with Hair like unto the finest flax. Of these it is reported, they can see far better in the dark, than in the light.

These Indians misliked our design for Tocamora,* 1.5 and dis∣swaded us from it, asserting it would prove too tedious a march, and the way so mountainous, and uninhabited, that it would be extream difficult to get Provisions for our men. Withal, they proffered to guide us undiscryed, within few Leagues of the City of Panama, in case we were pleased to go thither; where we could not choose but know our selves, we should not fail of making a good Voyage. Up∣on these, and other reasons which they gave us, we con∣cluded to desist from the Journey of Tocamora, and to pro∣ceed to Panama. Having taken up these Resolutions, Captain Bournano and Captain Row's Vessels separated from us, as being all French, and not willing to go to Panama, they declaring themselves generally against a long march by Land. Thus we left them at the Zamblas. From thence an Indian Captain, or chief Commander,* 1.6 named Andraeas, conducted us to another Island, called by the Eng∣lish,

the Golden Island▪ situated something to the westward of the mouth of the great River of Darien. At this Island we met, being in all seven Sail, on the third of April, 1680.

Here at the Golden Island, the Indians gave us notice of a Town called Sancta Maria,* 1.7 situate on a great River, which beareth the same name, and which runneth into the South Sea, by the Gulf of San Miguèl. That in the Town was kept a Garrison of four hundred Souldiers; and that from this place much Gold was carried to Panama, which was ga∣thered from the Mountains thereabouts. That in case we should not find sufficient purchase there, we might from thence proceed by Sea to Panama, where we could not easi∣ly fail of our designs. This motion of the Indians we liked so well,* 1.8 that we landed three hundred and thirty one men, on April the 5th 1680. leaving Captain Alleston, and Mackett, with a party of Seamen, to guard our Ships in our absence; with which we intended to return home.

* 1.9These men that were landed, had each of them three or four Cakes of Bread, (called by the English Dough-boy's) for their provision of Victuals; and as for drink, the Rivers afforded them enough. At that time of our Landing, Cap∣tain Sharp was very faint and weak, as having had a great ••it of sickness lately, which he had scarcely recovered. Our several Companies that marched, were distinguished as fol∣loweth. First, Captain Bartholomew Sharp with his Com∣pany had a red Flag, with a bunch of white and green Rib∣bons. The second Division led by Captain Richard Saw∣kins, with his men had a red Flag striped with yellow. The third and fourth, which were led by Captain Peter Harris, had two green Flags, his Company being divided into two several Divisions. The fifth and sixth, which be∣ing led by Captain John Coxon, who had some of Alleston's and Macketts men joyned unto his, made two Divisions or Companies, had each of them a red Flag. The seventh was led by Captain Edmond Cook with red Colours striped with yellow, with a Hand and Sword for his devise. All, or most of them, were Armed with Fuzee, Pistol, and Hanger.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The place where they met together.
• * 1.2

  They 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for Tocamora.
• * 1.3

  ••hey set sail and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at the Zamblas.
• * 1.4

  Habit of the Indians of those Isles.
• * 1.5

  They change their design of Tocamora for another.
• * 1.6

  They go to the Golden Island
• * 1.7

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 set forth for Sancta Ma∣ria.
• * 1.8

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.9

  Their Provisi∣on and Colours