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. II. They march towards the Town of Santa Maria with design to take it. The Indian King of Darien meeteth them by the way. Difficulties of this March, with other occurrences till they arrive at the place.

BEing landed on the Coast of Darien,* 1.1 and divided into Companies, as was mentioned in the preceding Chap∣ter, we began our march towards Santa Maria, the Indians serving us for guides in that unknown Country. Thus we marched at first through a small skirt of a wood, and then over a bay almost a League in length. After that, we went two Leagues directly up a woody valley, where we saw here and there an old Plantation, and had a very good path to march in. There we came to the side of a River, which in most places was dry, and built us Houses, or ra∣ther Huts to lodge in.

Unto this place came unto us another Indian,* 1.2 who was a chief Commander, and a man of great parts, named Captain Antonio. This Indian Officer encouraged us very much to undertake the Journey of Santa Maria, and pro∣mised to be our Leader; saying, he would go along with us now, but that his Child lay very sick. However, he was assured, it would dye by next day; and then he would most certainly follow and overtake us. Withal, he desired we would not lye in the grass, for fear of monstrous Adders, which are very frequent in those places. Breaking some of the stones that lay in the River, we found them shine with sparks of Gold. These stones are driven down from the neighbouring Mountains in time of floods.* 1.3 This day four of our men tyred, and returned back unto the Ships. So

we remained in all 327 men, with six Indians to conduct us. That night some showers of rain fell.

* 1.4The next day of our march we mounted a very steep hill, and on the other side, at the foot thereof, we rested on the bank of a River, which Captain Andraeas told us, did run into the South Sea; being the same River on which the Town of Santa Maria was situated. Hence we continued our march until noon, and then ascended ano∣ther Mountain extreamly higher than the former. Here we ran much danger oftentimes, and in many places, the Mountain being so perpendicular, and the path so narrow, that but one man at a time could pass. We arrived by the dark of the evening to the other side of the Mountain, and lodged again by the side of the same River, having march∣ed that day, according to our reckoning, about eighteen miles. This night likewise some rain did fall.

* 1.5The next morning, being April the 7th, we marched all along the River aforementioned, crossing it often, almost at every half mile, sometimes up to the knees, and at other times up to the middle, in a very swift current. About noon we came to a place, where we found some Indian hou∣ses. Th••se were very large and neat: the sides were built wi••h Cabbage-trees, and the roofs of wild Canes, being, over them,* 1.6 thatcht with Palmito Royal, but far more neater than ••urs at Jamaica. They had many divisions into rooms, though no ascent by s••airs into Chambers. At this place were four of these houses together, that is, within a stones throw one of another, each of them having a large Plan∣tane walk before it. At the distance of half a mile from this place, lived the King or chief Captain of these Indians of Darien, who came to visit us in Royal Robes, with his Queen and Family.* 1.7 His Crown was made of small white 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ which were curiously woven, having no other top than its lining, which was red silk. Round about the mid∣dle of it was a thin plate of gold, more than two inches broad,* 1.8 la••ed behind; from whence did stick two or three Ostrich feathers. About this pla••e went also a row of gol∣den

beads, which were bigger than ordinary pease; under∣neath which the red lining of the Crown was seen. In his nose he wore a large plate of gold, in form of an half Moon; and in each ear a great golden ring, nigh four in∣ches in diameter, with a round thin plate of Gold of the same breadth, having a small hole in the center, and by that hanging to the ring. He was covered with a thin white cotton robe, reaching unto the small of his legs, and round its bottom a fringe of the same three inches deep. So that by the length of this Robe, our sight was impeded, that we could see no higher than his naked Ankles. In his hand he had a long bright Lance, as sharp as any knife. With him he had three Sons, each of them having a white Robe, and their Lances in their hands, but standing bare-headed be∣fore him; as also were eight or nine persons more of his Retinue, or Guard. His Queen wore a red Blanket,* 1.9 which was closely girt about her wast: and another that came loosely over her head and shoulders, like unto our old fa∣shion striped hangings. She had a young Child in her arms, and two Daughters walked by her, both Mariageable, with their faces almost covered with stripes or streaks of red, and about their Neck and Arms, almost loaden with small Beads of several colours. These Indian women of the Province of Darien, are generally very free, airy, and brisk; yet withal very modest, and cautious in their Husbands presence, of whose jealousie they stand in fear. With these Indians we made an exchange, or had a truck, as it is called, for Knives, Pins, Needles, or any other such like trifles; but in our dealing with them we found them to be very cunning. Here we rested our selves for the space of one day; and withal, chose Captain Sawkins to lead the Forlorn, unto whom, for that purpose, we gave the choice of Fourscore men. The King ordered us each man to have three Plantans, with Sugar-canes to suck, by way of a Present. But when these were consumed, if we would not truck we must have starved; for the King himself did not refuse to deal for his Plantans. This sort of Fruit is first reduced to mash, then

laid between leaves of the same tree, and so used with wa∣ter; after which preparation they call it Miscelaw.

* 1.10On April the Ninth we continued our march along the banks of the River abovementioned, finding in our way here and there a House. The owners of the said Houses would most commonly stand at the door, and give, as we passed by, to every one of us, either a ripe Plantane, or some sweet Cazave-root. Some of them would count us by dropping a grain of Corn for each man that passed be∣fore them; for they know no greater number, nor can tell no farther then Twenty. That night we arrived at three great Indian Houses, where we took up our Lodgings, the weather being clear and serene all night.

* 1.11The next day Captain Sharp, Captain Coxon, and Cap∣tain Cook, with about threescore and ten of our men, embar∣ked themselves in fourteen Canoas upon the River, to glide down the stream. Among this number I did also embark; and we had in our company our Indian Captain Andraeas, of whom mention was made above; and two Indians more in each Canoa, to Pilot or guide us down the River. But if it was so that we were tired in travelling by Land before, certainly we were in a worser condition now in our Canoas. For at the distance of almost every stones cast, we were constrained to quit, and get out of our Boats, and hale them over either Sands or Rocks: at other times over Trees that lay cross and filled up the River, so that they hindred our Navigation; yea, several times over the very points of Land it self. That night we built our selves Huts to shelter in upon the River side, and rested our wearied Limbs until next morning.

* 1.12This being come, we prosecuted our Journey all day long with the same fatigue and toil, as we had done the day be∣fore. At night came a Tygre and looked on us for some while, but we dared not to fire at the Animal, fearing we should be descryed by the sound of our Fuzees: the Spa∣niards, as we were told, not being at much distance from that place.

But the next day, which was April the Twelfth,* 1.13 our pain and labour was rather doubled than diminished; not only for the difficulties of the way, which was intolera∣ble, but chiefly for the absence of our main body of men, from whom we had parted the day before. For now hear∣ing no news of them, we grew extreamly jealous of the In∣dians and their Councels, suspecting it a design of those people thus to divide our Forces, and then cutting us off, betray us unto the Spaniards our implacable Enemies. That night we rested our selves by building of Huts, as we had done, and hath been mentioned before.

On Tuesday morning, the next ensuing day,* 1.14 we conti∣nued our Navigation down the River, and arrived at a beachy point of Land; at which place another Arm joyn∣eth the same River. Here, as we understood, the Indians of Darien did usually Rendezvous, whensoever they drew up in a Body, with intention to fight their ancient Enemies the Spaniards. Here also we made a hault, or stayed for the rest of our Forces and Company, the Indians having now sent to seek them, as being themselves not a little concerned at our dissatisfaction and jealousies. In the af∣ternoon our Companions came up with us, and were huge∣ly glad to see us, they having been in no less fear for us, than we had been at the same time for them. We continued and rested there that night also, with design to fit our Arms for action, which now, as we were told, was nigh at hand.

We departed from thence early the next morning,* 1.15 which was the last day of our march, being in all now, the num∣ber of threescore and eight Canoa's, wherein were imbar∣ked 327 of us Englishmen, and 50 Indians, who served us for Guides. Unto the point above-mentioned, the Indians had hitherto guided our Canoas with long Poles or sticks; but now we made our selves Oars and Paddles to row with∣al, and thereby make what speed we could. Thus we rowed with all hast imaginable, and upon the River hap∣ned to meet two or three Indian Canoas that were laded with Plantans.* 1.16 About midnight we arrived and landed at

the distance of half a mile, more or less, from the Town of Santa Maria, whither our march was all along intended. The place where we landed was deeply muddy, insomuch, that we were constrained to lay our paddles on the mud to wade upon, and withal, lift our selves up by the boughs of the trees, to support our Bodies from sinking. Afterwards we were forced to cut our way through the woods for some space, where we took up our Lodgings for that night, for fear of being discovered by the Enemy, unto whom we were so nigh.

Notes

• * 1.1

  First days march.
• * 1.2

  An Indian Commander joyneth them.
• * 1.3

  Four of their number return back.
• * 1.4

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.5

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.6

  〈…〉〈…〉 Dari∣en
• * 1.7

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.8

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.9

  Attire of the Queen.
• * 1.10

  Fourth days march.
• * 1.11

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.12

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.13

  Seventh day•• march.
• * 1.14

  Eighth days march.
• * 1.15

  Ninth days march.
• * 1.16

  They arrive at Santa Maria.