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. V. Shipwrack of Mr. Ringrose the Author of this Nar∣rative. He is taken by the Spaniards, and mi∣raculously by them preserved. Several other ac∣cidents and disasters which befel him after the loss of his Companions till he found them again. Description of the Gulf of Vallona.

ON Munday April the Nineteenth, at break of day, we halled our Canoa into the water again,* 1.1 and depart∣ing from the Island aforementioned: both wet and cold, as we were, we rowed away towards the Punta de San Lo∣renzo, or Point St. Lawrence. In our way we met with se∣veral Islands which lye stragling thereabouts. But now we were again so hard put to it, by the smalness of our ves∣sel, and being in an open sea, that it was become the work of one man, yea sometimes of two, to cast out the water, which came in on all sides of our Canoa. After strugling for some while with these difficulties, as we came near un∣to one of those Islands, a Sea came and overturned our Boat,* 1.2 by which means we were all forced to swim for our lives. But we soon got unto the Shoar, and to the same place our Canoa came tumbling after us. Our Arms were very fast lashed unto the inside of the Boat, and our Locks as well cased and waxed down as was possible; so were al∣so our Catouche Boxes and powder-horns. But all our Bread and fresh water was utterly spoiled and lost.

Our Canoa being tumbled on shoar by the force of the waves, our first business was to take out and clear our Arms.* 1.3 This we had scarcely done, but we saw another Canoa run the same misfortune at a little distance to Leeward of us, a∣mongst a great number of Rocks that bounded the Island.

The persons that were cast away proved to be six Spaniards of the Garison of Santa Maria, who had found an old Canoa, and had followed us to escape the cruelty of the Indians. They presently came unto us, and made us a fire; which being done, we got our meat and broyled it on the coals, and all of us eat amicably together. But we stood in great need of water, or any other drink to our Victuals, not knowing in the least where to get any. Our Canoa was thrown up by the waves to the edge of the water, and there was no great fear of its splitting, as being full six inches in thickness on the sides thereof. But that in which the Spa∣niards came, split it self against the Rocks, as being old and slender, into an hundred pieces. Though we were thus shipwrackt and driven ashoar, as I have related, yet other∣wise, and at other times, is this Gulf of San Miguel a meer Mill-pond for smoothness of water.

My company was now altogether for returning, and to proceed no farther,* 1.4 but rather for living amongst the In∣dians, in case they could not reach the Ships we had left be∣hind us in the Northern Sea. But with much ado I pre∣vailed with them to go forward at least one day longer, and in case we found not our people the next day, that then I would be willing to do any thing which they should think fit. Thus we spent two or three hours of the day in con∣sulting about our affairs, and withal keeping a man to watch and look out on all sides, for fear of any surprizal by the Indians, or other Enemies. About the time that we were come to a conclusion in our debates, our watchman by chance spyed an Indian; who, as soon as he saw us, ran into the woods. I sent immediately two of my company after him, who overtook him, and found that he was one of our friendly Indians. Thus he carryed them unto a place not far distant from thence, where seven more of his company were, with a great Canoa which they had brought with them. They came unto the place where I was with the rest of my company, and seemed to be glad to meet us on that Island. I asked them by signs for the main bo∣dy

of our Company; and they gave me to understand, that in case we would go with them in their Canoa, which was much bigger than ours, we should be up with the Party by the next morning. This news, as may easily be supposed, not a little rejoyced our hearts.

Presently after this friendly invitation,* 1.5 they asked who the other six men were, whom they saw in our company, for they easily perceived us not to be all of one and the same coat and lingua. We told them they were Wankers, which is the name they commonly give unto the Spaniards in their own Language. Their next question was, if they should kill those Spaniards? but I answered them, No, by no means, I would not consent to have it done. With which answer they seemed to be satisfied for that present. But a little while after, my back being turned, my com∣pany thinking that they should oblige thereby the Indians, beckned unto them to kill the Spaniards. With this, the poor Creatures perceiving the danger that threatned them, made a sad shreek and outcry, and I came time enough to save all their lives. But withal, I was forced to give way and consent, they should have one of them, for to make him their slave. Hereupon I gave the Canoa that I came in unto the five Spaniards remaining, and bid them get away and shift for their lives, lest those cruel Indians should not keep their word, and they run again the same danger they had so lately escaped. Having sent them away, mean while I rested my self, here I took a Survey of this Gulf, and the mouth of the River, the which I finished the same day, and do here present unto the view of the Reader.

[illustration]

A Description of Laguna or Gulf of Ballona.

But now, thanks be to God,* 1.6 joyning company with those Indians, we were got into a very large Canoa, the which for its bigness, was better able to carry twenty men, than our own that we had brought to carry five. The Indians had also fitted a very good Sail unto the said Canoa; so that having now a fresh and strong gale of wind, we set sail from thence, and made therewith brave way, to the in∣finite joy and comfort of our hearts, seeing our selves so well accommodated, and so happily rid of the miseries we but lately had endured. We had now a smooth and easie passage, after such tedious and laboursome pains as we had sustained in coming so far since we left Santa Maria. Un∣der the point of St. Lawrence, mentioned above, is a very great ripling of the Sea, occasioned by a strong current which runneth hereabouts, and which oftentimes almost filled our Boat with its dashes, as we sailed. This evening, after our departure from the Island where we were cast a∣way, it rained vehemently for several hours, and the night proved to be very dark. About nine of the clock that night we descryed two fires on the shoar of the Continent, over against us. These fires were no sooner perceived by the Indians of our Canoa, but they began to shout for joy, and cry out, Captain Antonio, Captain Andraeas, the names of their Indian Captains and Leaders; and to affirm, they were assured those fires were made by their Companions. Hence they made for the shoar towards those fires, as fast as they could drive. But so soon as our Canoa came a∣mongst the breakers, nigh the shoar, out came from the Woods above threescore Spaniards with Clubs and other Arms, and laying hold on our Canoa on both sides thereof, halled it out of the water quite dry. So that by this means we were all suddainly taken and made their prisoners. I laid hold of my Gun, thinking to make some defence for my self, but all was in vain; for they as suddainly seized me between four or five of them, and hindred me from acti∣on. I'th' mean while our Indians leaped over board, and got away very nimbly into the Woods; my Companions

standing amazed at what had hapned, and the manner of our surprizal. I asked them presently if any of them could speak either French or English: but they answered, No. Hereupon, as well as I could, I discoursed to some of them, who were more intelligent than the rest, in Latin, and by degrees came to understand their condition. These were Spaniards who had been turned here ashoar by our English party, who left them upon this Coast, left by car∣rying them nearer unto Panama, any of them should make their escape, and discover our march towards that City. They had me presently after I was taken into a small Hut which they had built, covered with boughs, and made there great shouts for joy, because they had taken us; de∣signing in their minds to use us very severely for coming into those parts, and especially for taking and plundering their Town of Santa Maria. But mean while the Captain of those Spaniards was examining me, in came the poor Spaniard that was come along with us, and reported how kind I had been to him, and the rest of his Companions, by saving their Lives from the cruelty of the Indians.

* 1.7The Captain having heard him, arose from his seat im∣mediately and embraced me, saying, that we Englishmen were very friendly Enemies, and good people, but that the Indians were very Rogues, and a treacherous Nation. With∣al, he desired me to sit down by him, and to eat part of such Victuals as our Companions had left them when they were turned ashoar. Then he told me, that for the kindness I had shewed unto his Countrymen, he gave us all our Lives and Liberties, which otherwise he would certainly have taken from us. And though he could scarcely be perswa∣ded in his mind to spare the Indians lives, yet for my sake he did pardon them all, and I should have them with me, in case I could find them. Thus he bid me likewise take my Canoa, and go in Gods name, saying withal, he wished us as fortunate as we were generous. Hereupon I took my leave of him, after some little stay, though he invited me to tarry all night with him. I searched out, and at last

found my Indians, who for fear had hid themselves in the bushes adjoyning to the neighbouring woods, where they lay concealed. Having found them, the Captain led me very civilly down unto the Canoa, and bidding my Com∣panions and the Indians get in after me; as they at first halled us ashoar, so now again they pushed us off to Sea, by a suddain and strange vicissitude of fortune. All that night it rained very hard, as was mentioned above; neither durst we put any more ashoar at any place, it being all along such, as by Mariners is commonly called an Iron Coast.

The next morning being come, we sailed, and padled,* 1.8 or rowed, till about ten of the clock. At which time we es∣pied a Canoa making towards us with all speed imaginable. Being come up with us, and in view, it proved to be of our own English Company, who mistaking our Canoa for a Spanish Periagua, was coming in all hast to attack us. We were infinitely gladded to meet them, and they presently conducted us to the rest of our Company, who were at that instant coming from a deep Bay, which lay behind a high point of Rocks, where they had lain at Anchor all that night and morning. We were all mutually rejoyced to see one another again, they having given both me and my Companions for lost.

Notes

• * 1.1

  They put out to Sea again in the Canoa.
• * 1.2

  And are cast away.
• * 1.3

  Another ship∣wrack.
• * 1.4

  They consult a∣bout their af∣fair.
• * 1.5

  The Author sa∣veth the lives of the Spani∣ards.
• * 1.6

  They put to sea again, and are made prisoners.
• * 1.7

  They ••re ci••il∣••y treated and ••et at liberty.
• * 1.8

  They overtake the rest of the Fleet.