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. XXII. They arrive at Paita, where they are disap∣pointed of their expectations, as not daring to land, seeing all the Country alarmed before them. They bear away for the Straight of Magallanes. Description of the Bay and Port of Paita, and Colan. An account of their Sailings towards the Streight aforementioned.

THursday, August the 25th. The night before this day, we stood off to Sea for fear of the shoar, and lest we should be descryed from the Coast of Paita, unto which we were now pretty nigh. About noon this day

we began to stand in again, and saw the homing of land, though with hasey weather. The next day, being August the 26th, we had cold winds, great dews, and dry wea∣ther.

Saturday, August the 27th. All this day, but more e∣specially in the morning, we had many fogs. In the after∣noon we saw la Silla de Paita at W. S. W. being about five leagues distant from it.

Sunday August the 28th, last night about ten of the clock we were close in with land, at the distance of half a league, more or less to leeward of the Island of Lobos. We continued our course all that night, and about break of day found our selves to be close under Pena Horadada, a high and steep rock so called. From hence we sailed with a land-wind, and sent away from the ship two Canoas well Manned and Armed, with good hopes that we had concei∣ved in our mind, to have taken the Town of Paita undis∣cryed. But as it should seem, they had already received news of our coming, or being upon that Coast, and also supplies of Forces that were sent them from the City of Piura, distant from thence twelve leagues up within the Country. These supplys consisted chiefly of three Com∣panies of Horse and Foot, all of them being armed with fire-arms. Besides this, they had made for the defence of the Town, a breast-work along the sea-side, and the great Church which lyeth at the outermost part of the Town. From these places, as also from a hill that covereth the Town, they fired at our men, who were innocently rowing towards shoar with their Canoas. This preposterous fi∣ring was the preservation of our people. For had the Spaniards permitted our men to come ashoar, they had as∣suredly destroyed them every man. But fear always hin∣dreth that Nation of Victory, at least in most of our at∣tempts.

Our men perceiving themselves to be discovered, and the enemy prepared for their reception, hereupon retreated, and came on board the ship again without attempting to

land, or do any thing else in relation to the taking of the place. We judged there could not be less then one hun∣dred and fifty fire-arms, and four times as many Lances upon the shoar, all in a readiness to hinder our people from landing. Within the Town our Pilot told us, there might be to the number of one hundred and fifty Families, more or less.

Being disappointed of our expectations at Paita, we stood down the Bay towards Colan. This is another Town so called, and which exceedeth three times the bigness of Pai∣ta. It is chiefly inhabited by Fishermen, and from hence they send fish unto most inland Towns of Peru; and also serve Paita with water from the River Colan, not far di∣stant from the Town. It is the space of two leagues more or less from the Town of Paita afore-mentioned to Colan, and from thence unto the River, one league, although the Houses of Colan do reach almost unto the River. The Town it self of Colan is only inhabited by Indians, and these are all rich; for as much as that they will be paid in ready money for every thing they do for the Spaniards. But the Town of Paita is chiefly inhabited by Spaniards, though there be also some Indians; but the Spaniards do not suffer the Indians to be any great gainers, or grow rich under them.

About ten of the clock a young breeze sprang up, and with that, we stood away West, and W. by S. Within a little while it blew so fresh, that we were forced to riff our top-sails▪ the weather being very dark and hasey. I took the Port of Paita, and Bay of Colan, as they lay exactly situated, thus.

[illustration]

A Description of Paita and Colan

Munday, August the 29th. All our hopes of doing any farther good upon the Coasts of the South Sea, being now frustrated, seeing we were descryed before our arrival where-ever we came, we resolved unanimously to quit all other attempts, and bear away for the Straight of Magal∣lanes, in order to our return homewards either for Eng∣land, or some of our Plantations in the West-Indies. This day we had a great dew, and I reckoned my self W. S. W. from Paita thirteen leagues and an half, with very little wind. So we stood East.

The next day, August the 30th, we had misty weather. We made a W.S. W. way, and by it five leagues and one third. In the afternoon of this day, the wind freshned a∣gain, having been but little before, and we stood E.S.E.

The last day of August we had very fair weather. I believed now that the wind was setled at S. E. and S. S. E. We made a S. S. W. way, and twenty one leagues and two thirds.

September the First. The night past was very cloudy, but withal we had a fresh gale. Our reckoning was a S. W by S. way, and that we had made sixteen leagues and two thirds.

September the 2d we reckoned a S. W. way, and by it twenty six leagues and two thirds. This day we had an observation, and found Lat. 7 D. 40 S.

September the 3d brought us both cloudy and misty weather. We made a W.S.W. way, and fourteen leagues.

September the 4th. This day the wind was at E. S. E. and sometimes E. coming in many flaws. We had a S. W. by S. way, and reckoned twenty three leagues and two thirds. We had a great Sea from the South.

Munday, September the 5th, we had great winds, and a high and short Sea. Our way was S. S. W. and half W. by which we reckoned twenty eight leagues and two thirds of a league.

September the 6th we had a very fresh wind at S. E. by E. with an indifferent smooth Sea. By observation we

found this day Latitude 12 d. 00 South. We made a S.W. by S. way, and twenty eight leagues and one third.

Wednesday September the seventh, we had a very fresh wind. We reckoned a S.W. by S. way, and thirty six leagues. We observed Latitude 13 d. 24 South. We make now each mess a plumb Pudding of Salt-water and wine-Lees.

On the eighth we enjoyed a fresh gale of wind, though with hasey weather. Our reckoning was a S.W. by S. way, and hereby twenty five leagues, and one third of a league.

September the 9th, we made a S.W. by S. way, and twen∣ty one leagues and a third. In the afternoon the wind came about something more Southerly, allowing us a S. W. course.

Saturday September the 10th, all the night past and this morning the wind was very fresh at East. Our way was S.S.W. and by our reckoning thirty five leagues and one third. The weather now was warm. An observation this day gave us Lat. 16 d. 40. South.

September 11 we had whiffling winds. A South-west half South way, and thereby twelve leagues and two thirds. By an observation made we found 17 d. 10 South. Now we had a very great Sea, so that we took in our sprit-sail.

September the 12th, all the night before this day, we were under a pair of courses. Yet this morning we hea∣ved out main top-sail. We made a W. S. W. way, and se∣venteen leagues and one third. By observation we found Lat. 17 d. 30 South.

The 13th, in the night past we had huge and great storms of wind. In the morning our Goose-head gave way, so that about noon we were forced to lye by till four in the afternoon to mend it. Our course was S. W. half W. and our reckoning twenty nine leagues, and two thirds of a league. Latitude by observation 18 d. 12 South.

Wednesday September the 14th, this day we had very hasey weather. We made a S.S.W. way, and twenty leagues.

September the 15th, this day likewise we had a S.S.W.

way, and reckoned twenty three leagues and one half. Our observation taken this day gave us 20 d. 09. South.

On September the 16th, we had a clear day, a S. W. half South way, and made sixteen leagues and two thirds, We found by observation, Lat. 20 d. 48 South.

The 17th, last night was very calm. Also this day, it being a full Moon. We reckoned a S.W. way, and only by reason of the calmness of the weather nine leagues and one third of a league. We had an observation which afforded us 21 d. 08 S. Latitude.

Sunday September the 18th, in the night last past a wind sprang up at S.S.E. which the morning of this day freshned at S. E. We made a W. S. W. way, and by it eighteen leagues. Moreover, this day we had a clear observation that shewed us Lat. 21 d. 30 S.

September the 19th, all the night past we had a very fresh wind. But this morning it came about to E. by S. and E.S.E. with hasey weather. I reckoned a S.W. by S. way, and twenty two leagues.

September the 20th, this day gave us a fresh wind, hasey weather, a S. by W. way, and hereupon twenty three leagues and one third.

September the 21, this day also the fresh gale continued, with cloudy, and sometimes misty weather. Our recko∣ning shewed us a S. by W. way, as the day before, and by it twenty eight leagues and one third. By an observation made, we found Lat. 25 d. 15 South.

Thursday September the 22, this day we had a very fresh wind. We reckoned a South half West way, and by that twenty nine leagues and two thirds. An observation ta∣ken gave us Lat. 26 d. 42 South. We observed this day a North East Sea, which seemed very strange unto us.

The next day we had several showers of small rain. My reckoning was a S. by W. way; and thereupon twenty six leagues. We found by observation Lat. 27. d. 57 South.

September the 24th, we had hasey weather, and the wind not so fresh at E. S. E. with a smooth Sea. We made a

S. S. W. way half westerly, and twenty three leagues and two thirds. This day also an observation gave us Lat. 28 d. 57 South. I reckoned now that we were distant from Paita 302 leagues and two thirds.

Sunday September the 25th, this day we had not much wind, and withal, hasey weather. At noon the wind came East, then E.N.E. and then again N.E. by E. We reckoned a S. by E. way, half Easterly and 55.

Munday the 26th, we had hasey weather and a fresh wind at N. East. We reckon a S.E. half South way, and twenty four leagues. In the afternoon we experimented a N.N.E. Sea, and then soon after a N.N.E. wind. After this a North wind, and that but very little.

September the 27th, all the night before this day we had a fresh wind at N.N.E. About eight this morning it came about again to N.N.W. We made a S.E. by S. way, and thirty eight leagues. By observation I found Lat. 32 d. 30 South. Now we enjoyed a very smooth sea, and fair wea∣ther.

Wednesday September the 28th, in the night past a very fresh wind at N.N.W. and N.W. At break of day we had a wind at .... heaving us a back at once. At noon again the wind was at S.W. our course being S.E. This morning we took down our top gallant-masts. We made a S.E. by E. way, and on this road twenty seven leagues and two thirds. We found by an observation made, Lat. 33 d. 16 South, a South west sea.

On the 29th we had very windy and hasey weather, with some rain now and then. All last night we handed our main top-sail. We made a S.E. by E. way, and thirty two leagues and two thirds. We had a South west sea and wind.

Friday September the 30th, this day we had fresh winds between S. W. and W. We reckoned a S. E. half South way, and thereupon forty four leagues. By observation we found Lat. 35 d. 54 South.

October the first, the wind this day was not very fresh, but varying. My reckoning was a S. E. half South way, and twenty four leagues. An observation gave us 36 d. 50 South. This day I finished another Quadrant, being the third I finished in this Voyage. We had a South west sea, with showers of rain and gusts of wind.

Sunday October the second, the wind this day was hang∣ing between W.N.W.' and N.W. by N. We made a S.E. by S. way, and thirty three leagues and two thirds. By ob∣servation we found 38 d. 14 South. About noon we had a fresh wind at N.W. and S.W.

October the third, the last night in the forepart thereof was clear, but the latter was rainy. The wind very fresh at N.W. by N. But this day we had little wind, and clou∣dy weather. A S. W. by W. wind, and a S.E. by S. way, by which we reckoned thirty three leagues and one third of a league.

October the fourth, we had a clear night and a very fresh wind. We reckoned a S. E. by S. way, and thereby forty three leagues. An observation taken shewed us, that we were in Lat. 41 d. 34 South. This day also fell several showers of rain.

October the fifth, we had a windy night the last past, and a clear day. We reckoned a S.S.E. half E. way, and forty four leagues and two thirds. By an observation made, we found Lat. 43 d. 26 South. The weather now was very windy, causing a huge tempestuous sea. The wind at N.W. and N.W. by N. blowing very high.

October the sixth, this day the wind was still at N.W. and yet not so fresh as it was yesterday, the weather very foggy and misty. As for the wind it came in gusts, so that we were forced to hand our top-sails, and sprit-sail. We reckoned a S. E. half S. way, and thereby forty three leagues and one third of a league. The Seas now were not so high, as for some days past. In the evening we scudded away under our fore course.

Friday, October the 7th. Last night was very cloudy,

and this day both dark and foggy weather with small rain. We made a S. E. way, and thirty leagues and two thirds. A fresh wind at N. N. W. and N. W. We keep still under a fore course, not so much for the freshness of the wind, as the closeness of the weather.

October the 8th, we had a clear night the night before this day, and withal a strong gale; insomuch that this day we were forced to take in our fore-sail, and loosen our Mi∣zen, which was soon blown to pieces. Our eldest Sea∣men said that they were never in the like storm of wind before. The Sea was all in a foam. In the evening it dul∣led a little. We made a S. E. half E. way, and eighteen leagues, with very dark weather.

Sunday, October the 9th. All the night past we had a furious W. N. W. wind. We set our sail a drough, and so drove to the Southward very much, and almost incredibly, if an observation had not hapned, which gave us Lat. 48 15 S. We had a very stiff gale at W. N. W. with a great Sea from W. which met with a S. S. W. Sea as great as it. Now the weather was very cold, and we had one or two frosty mornings. Yesterday in the afternoon we had a ve∣ry great storm of hail. At noon we bent another Mi∣zen.

Monday, Octob. the 10th. This day brought us a freshwind at N. W. and N. N. W, We made a S. E. half E. way, and by it forty four leagues. By observation we found Lat. 49 D. 41 S. I reckoned my self now to be East from Paita sixty nine leagues and an half.

Tuesday, October the 11th. Last night we had a small time calm. This day was both cloudy and rainy weather. The wind at S. W. and S. S. W. so furious, that at ten of the clock this morning we scudded under a main sail. At noon we lower'd our fore-yard while we sailed. We made a S. E. by E. way, and thirty leagues.

Notes

• They descry the land of Paita.
• La Silla de Paita.
• Isle of Lobos.
• Pena Horada∣da.
• They endeavou•• to land.
• They dare not to land.
• A description of Colan.
• They stand a∣way for the Straight of Magallanes.
• A North East Sea.
• Another Qua∣drant made by the Author.
• A great storm.
• They drive at a great rate.