A journal of a voyage made into the South Sea, by the bucaniers or freebooters of America, from the year 1684 to 1689 written by the Sieur Raveneau de Lussan ; to which is added, The voyage of the Sieur de Montauban, captain of the free-booters on the coast of Guiney, in the year 1695.

CHAP. IV. (Book 4)

The Freebooters Voyage to the South Seas in 1687. (Book 4)

ON the First of Ianuary, 1687. our Canoes being ready, we left this Bay and failed for that of Cal∣daira, that we might victual there, and make an end of careening our Ships: we left them there on the Second, after we had given Orders to those who had the charge of them, to come and joyn us in the Bay, and we embar∣ked Two hundred Men in our Canoes, to crossover to la Cagna, which is a small Island very inconvenient to draw near to, and stands about a League North and South from the main Land, between Boca del Toro and Caldaira. We were six days in our passage before we could get thither, having only put forward in the Night for fear of being discovered: Being come on the Sixth at Night into the Bay, our Guide made us put in under a Covert, and told us that to prevent our being discove∣red,

we should go a Shoar in that Place,* 1.1 which we had no sooner done, but we were conducted into a Marish, in the sou••dest places whereof we sunk in the Mud to the very Middle, insomuch that Five of our Men of whom we could see no more than their Heads, did not give us a small trouble to pull them out with Cords we made fast to Mangles, which are Trees of that Name growing in this Marish: So that not knowing how we should be able to free our selves from this wretched Place, we lifted up our Guide to the top of a Tree, to endeavour by the help of Moon-light to discover how far we might be from sound Land: But he finding him∣self now at liberty, skipped like a Monkey from Tree to Tree, and railed all the while at us, who could neither see him nor do any more that threaten him, which I be∣lieve he little mattered. We spent the rest of the Night in making about an Hundred steps in this sweet Place, where we exactly went the Rounds, and from whence we could not come out till break of Day, and not then neither, without being bedaubed all over from top to toe, and having our Arms laden with Mud. When we were in a Condition to reflect a little upon our selves, and that we saw Two hundred Men in the same Habit, and so curiously equipped, there was not one of us who forgot not his Toyle, to laugh at the posture he found both himself and the rest in. At length, after having inveighed against our Guide who had so cunningly saved himself, when he saw us stuck fast in the Mire, we went into our Canoes again, where we cleaned our selves as well as we could, as we did also our Arms, and after ha∣ving left our Covert we met with a very pretty River, whereinto we entered and went up it about Two Leagues, where we landed at an Entrenchment. There we found the remains of the Two Ships which the Spaniards had burnt, when an English Freebooter, whose Name was Betsharp, came to careen in this Bay, which made us suppose,* 1.2 according to the Relation that had been given us concerning it, that it was the Embarking Place belonging to Nicoya. We followed the Road we found there, and marching about Two Leagues, at the end of them we entered, by the help of the barking of the Dogs, into a Burrough called Sancta Catalina, where we took all the Inhabitants Prisoners. Now as we were informed by them there, that there was no more than

three Leagues to Nicoya, we mounted sixty Men on Horseback, in order to go thither; but we met half∣way with two Horsemen, whom we could not reach, and who returning back with full Speed, gave the In∣habitants notice of our March towards them, in so much that by the time we were got thither, they had already hid all their Effects, and were expecting our coming upon the Place of Arms, from whence we drove them, after we had sustained their first discharge, with which they neither killed nor wounded one of our Men. While we were gathering what Provision we could together, we sent out small Parties into the Neighbouring Places, who brought us some Money, and among other things, the Governour's Plate, and all his Moveables.

On the 8th. we left the Town, and went to rejoyn our People at Sancta Catalina, where we staid the re∣mainder of that day: At Night came two of the Enemy's Sentinels thither, one of whom we killed; for they, not knowing we were in the Town, were come to give the Spaniards notice that they saw three Sail of Ships enter into the Bay, and that they were Enemies; but this Intelligence came too late. On the 9th. we left this Place to go joyn our Canoes again, on which being embarked, we left one of our Prisoners ashoar to go and raise the Ransom of those we carryed along with us; and on the 10th. we got on board our Ships that ••ay at Anchor in the Bay. We had found among the Governour of Nicoya's Papers three Letters, which were these that follow.

The Governour or General of the Province of Costa Rica his Letter to the President of Panama; dated May 2d. 1686.

SIR,

THis Letter is to let you know of the taking of our dear Town of Granada by Pirates on the Tenth of the last Month:* 2.1 They came ashoar at a Place where we had no Sentinels, we supposing there was no occasion for it, because the Sea is so high there; they passed on cross a Wood like so many Wild Beasts: We had the good Fortune to have notice of it by our Fishermen, tho' we were already upon our Guard ever since the News we had concerning them from

Lesparso and Nicoya. They lay on the Ninth at the fine House of Don Diego Ravalo, Knight of St. Iames, we were very well prepared to receive them; but the way of Fighting practised by these Men did so much astonish ours, that we could not make that Resistance we had promised our selves we should do: They fell on briskly, singing and dancing, as if they had been going to a Feast; at length, after we had been fought bravely by them, they won the place of Arms, with the loss of Thirty of their Men, according to the Estimate of Don Antonio de Fortuna, a Person of good Experience in War, who came to us some Months before. We are also of Opinion that they have lost their General, for we saw a Man, that distinguished himself from the rest by his Habit, fall.

After they had staid for the space of four Days in our Fort, they sent to require us to Ransom the Town and Prisoners they had taken; but we being not very forward to return an Answer to their Proposal, they burnt it, and went their ways: Seignior Don Iohn de Castilla, Sergeant-Major, went out to observe them with his Men; but not knowing they took away our Artillery, he attacked these Enemies of God and Goodness about a Mile from the Town; but they being resolved to make their way through, or to die upon the spot, slew so great a Number of his Men, that the rest fled, and left their Commanders alone.

We have taken one of their Men, who told us, they came to our Province upon no other Design, than to know the strength of it, tho' it's not to be doubted, if they had found our Vessels at Anchor, but they would have made use of them to pass, by the way of our Lake, to the North Sea, and have abandoned their Comrades, who looked after their Ships, and their way would have been infallibly by Carthage. Monsieur the Governour takes his Measures thereupon, and continues to Fortifie his Retrench∣ment. I shall give you a more ample Account of this Business by the first Caravan.

The President of Panama's Letter to the Governour of Costa Rica.

SIR,

This is to give you Notice of the Advices I have re∣ceived from Carthagena,* 3.1 by the way of Puerto Belo. The King of France supposing he had received some Affront from our Nation, sent Eight Sail of ill sorts before Calix, to demand Contribution; and seeing there was so vast an inequality of Force upon this Occasion, we agreed to give him half a Million, to withdraw his Ships, and return to their Ports.

You know that my Lord Bishop on the 22d. of Au∣gust forced me to send out three Ships to fight the Pirates, that continued still before our Port, and took all the Barks and Canoes that were coming in. Our Ships surprized them at break of Day, which made one of the Pirates slip his Cable, and this was done, not for to fly away; but through the Skill of the Com∣mander. I saw the Fight from my Ramparts, the Honour whereof I thought infallibly to have apper∣tained unto us. Having seen them draw near the Shoar, I Sent a Chaloop to bring away the Anchor of that Vessel that had slipped her Cable, in order to fasten her in our Port. As soon as ever I saw them ungrappled, I dispatched away two long Barks or Galleys to go and learn the News, and to bring those of the Enemy that survived before me, tho' my Or∣ders were, that no Quarter should be given to any that were found upon Deck, to the end we might rid the World of these Enemies of God and his Saints, who Profane his Churches, and destroy his Servants. In the Evening they sent one of our Men to require me to give up five Men of theirs, that I had Prisoners in my Town, and as my Prince forbad me to do so, I refused it; but these new Turks sent me Twenty Heads, and I bethought my self, that for the prevent∣ing of the slaughter of so many Christians, I ought to send them their Men, with Ten Thousand Pieces of Eight, for the Ransom of Ninety of our People, that were almost all wounded, which they sent us out of Three Hundred and Thirty they had taken with them. Thus you see how God is pleased to afflict us on all sides, let us take all for the sake of his Suffering for us.

The Tenient of Sansonat's Letter to the President of Panama.

CAptain Francis Grogniet is separated from his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at Realeguo,* 4.1 and gone ashoar with an Hundred and Fifty Men upon the Isles of Napalla: We took three of their Men, who told us, that those of them that were gone up towards Panama, had a Design 〈◊〉〈◊〉 return to the North Sea. The Peace we have made with the Indians will do us more hurt than good, we were concerned at least to observe their Motion, and stop up that Passage. Those People seeing no Place whereunto to retire, became as so many enraged Dogs. We had no need of that, for where-ever these Irreli∣gious Wretches set their Feet on Land, they always win the Victory. If you please, let them have free Passage, that we may be at rest; they came ten or dozen times ashoar, without knowing what they wanted. Send us a Man who understands the way to Sea-fighting, for I am of Opinion, they will never be able to get off from these Islands, and so it will be convenient to go and take them there.

On the 12th. as we saw no Ransom come, we set ou•• to go our selves to Nicoya to fetch it, where we arrived next day; we sent out several Parties also in search of some Victuals, which the People had hid, and sent one to treat with them about the Ransoming of their Town▪ The Tenient told us, the Governour was gone for Re∣lief to Costa Rica, and that he had no Orders to pay any Ransom farther than what had been agreed on for the Prisoners, which was all ready, and that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would not have us be impatient, if we received not the same as soon as we desired it, because they having no Canoes, whereby to send the Money to us by Sea, which might have been done in half a day's time (the Passaage was so short that way) had been obliged to have it car∣ryed on Mules backs by Land, which was four days Jour∣ney. When we had received this Answer, we sent again to tell him, that our Intention was to have been gone next day, but that however, seeing he waited in expe∣ctation of Succours, we would wait also; but at length growing impatient that things were so long retarded we went our ways on the seventeenth.

Two days after,* 4.2 being the 19th. they came to the Sea-Side, over-against the Place where our Vessels lay at Anchor, and brought us the Ransom they had promised for the Prisoners, whom we sent ashoar at the same time. We gave them a Letter, which we writ to the Governour, wherein we sent him word, if he would let us know when his Reinforcement came, we should not fail to attend him, and that in the mean time, if he did not send us so many Horse-load of Biscuit and Maes as we required of him, for the Ransom of the Town, he might assure himself we should go and burn it.

On the 20th. we weighed Anchor, and went to one of the Islands in this Bay to careen our Vessels. On the 22d. we went off in our Canoes, leaving no more Men with our Ships than were necessary to Careen them, and sought out some Hatto's, where we might get necessary Subsistance, to the end we might lay by, and keep in store those Provisions we had got together on Board, and whereof we should have occasion in the Execution of an Enterprize we had formed upon the Town of Queaquilla. On the 22d. at Night we went ashoar at Caldaira, where we were discovered by the Sentinels, who, as they made their escapes, set fire unto the Savana's, in order to stop our Passage; however, this did not hinder us to reach the little Town of Lesparso, which had been almost entirely abandoned since the time of our being there before.

On the 23d. we had the Curiosity, or rather Humour to pursue the first Road that offered it self to our view at our departure, and after we had marched about a League on, we discovered about Two Hundred Horse upon our Flank, and in our Rear: A Spaniard, who was advanced before the rest, made a thousand Mouths at us, and reviled us as much, which gave us an occasion to hide five of our Men, that were behind the rest, in the Grass, that was exceeding high upon both sides of the way, and leave our main Body to march on; so that when our Spaniard, who still followed our People, went to pass forwards, he was quickly dismounted, and we made him make a Grimace in good earnest: We questioned him according to our usual Ceremony, that is to say, by putting him on the Rack, about the place where we were: He told us, we were on the High-way of Car∣bage, and that all Places were quite forsaken from thence

to this Town, which was no less than Seven and Twenty Leagues, out of an Apprehension his Country had, left we should go and force them to grant us Passage to the North Sea, as their chief Officers had caused it to be reported among them. He also gave us Information, that they had Four Hundred Men making their Rounds, whereof the Two Hundred we saw, were of that Num∣ber, being detatch'd to observe the time of our Land∣ing, that so they might retire to a strong Retrenchment they had six Leagues on this side the Town, for to beat us back in case we made that way. Being thus pre∣admonished, we thought it not convenient to go any further, our Design being no other then, than to know the Country, and to get us some Victuals; so we re∣turned to Lesparso, and on the 24th. rejoyned our Canoes.

On the 26th. we went ashoar, under the Guidance of our new Prisoner, who brought us to a Sugar Plan∣tation, where we divided into two Companies to go to two Hatto's, and took all the People we could meet with there, who informed us, that several other Hatlo's and Sugar Plantations in the Neighbourhood, had all¦together set out Two Hundred armed Men, who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gone in the Evening to beat back the Crew of three of the Enemy's Canoes, that had landed at Colebra, where they had killed and wounded divers Spaniards, We presently imagined it must have been Captain Grognist that was come up that Coast, and therein we were not mistaken; we immediately returned back to the Sea-side, to go with our Canoes to meet him, and in our way heard the noise of several Cannon-shot and small Arms, towards the Place where we had left our Ship-Careening, which made us double our Pace, and re∣imbark in our Canoes.

As soon as we were got on Board our Ships,* 4.3 we found Captain Grogniet with three Canoes there, who with his Crew had been conducted to the said Place by one of our Canoes, whom they had fortunately met in crossing this Bay; and the Firing we had heard, was made by the one and the other for Joy of their meeting toge∣ther.

Grogniet told us,* 4.4 that he came up this Coast with an Intention to find out an uninhabited Place, to the end he might Land without Opposition, and to fetch 〈◊〉〈◊〉

compass cross the Country, to get the North Sea. We laid the Danger whereunto he must necessarily ex∣pose so small a Number of Men before him, (they being no more than Sixty in all) that if he were resolved to undertake so dangerous an Enterprize, it were better he would stay with us until we found a favourable Oppor∣tunity to repass together to that Sea, as being better able conjoyntly to surmount those Difficulties which we might be exposed to thereby. Being overcome with our Reasons, he staid with us; and after we had given him an Account of the Adventures we had had since our se∣paration from him, he also in his turn entertained us with a recital of his, and told us, he had made several Descents in the Bay of Napalla with various Success, and that among other things in one of those Descents, the Spaniards had taken three of his Men, who had been exchanged some time after for other Prisoners: But that the Spaniards had so far corrupted those three Men with the fine Promises they made them, while they were in their Custody, that upon their Return, they insinuated into their Comrades, in order to betray, they ••••sinuated into their Comrades, in order to betray them, ••••design of going to a very considerable Gold Mine, which was Fourteen Leagues off from the Sea-side, and as many from Tinsigal, and that being pre-possess'd of making their Fortunes there, they had left the Island where they were, to the Number of an Hundred and Twelve Men, and went ashoar upon the Continent, with an Intention to go to that Mine, under the Guidance of the Prisoners, who knew the way, and towards which they journyed only in the Night-time, for fear of being discovered; that those three Men who had been exchanged, and sold their Friends to the Spaniards, pretended they were weary, and had occasion to rest, that so they might not go with the rest; that for all this, they departed two hours after, bringing to the Spaniards, who waited in a convenient Place for them, all the Prisoners that were ashoar in the said Bay, and after some time, carryed off the Arms and Ammunition of all the rest of our Com∣pany that staid behind upon the Island, who had no mistrust of them, whereof they laded a Canoe; but that the Treachery in the mean time had not had all the projected effect, and that he and his Men got to the Mine without Opposition, because the Spaniards, who had made all things ready for Massacring of them, when

going ashoar, got thither later than they should have done, and that through the fault of our Renegadoes, who had too much precipitated the departure of their Comrades, whom they thus saved by pressing them on to their ruin: That they had got no great Purchase at the Mines, because there had been Orders given before for saving their Treasure; tho after all, it was not above an hour's space that they had got away Four Hundred and Fifty Pounds of Gold, that was all ready prepared. That yet they found some Pounds still left, and took some Prisoners, who were surprized by them, as not expeeting their Company so soon, and that they also did believe they had been defeated by the way, as the Design had been formed against them.

That when they had staid two days at this Mine, and being intent upon returning with his Men to the Sea-side, he met with a Body of Spaniards on the way, waiting his coming, and making a meen as if they would now upon his Return, make amends for the fault they had committed, in not preventing his Descent. Their Commander sent a Trumpet to Captain Grogniet, to know if he were minded to fight; who being an∣swered, that he desired nothing more: The Spaniards sent a second time to tell him, that if he would give up his Prisoners, they would grant him free Passage; But he boldly answered, That if they desired to have them, they must come and fetch them by the help of their Arms; and as for the Passage, he would open his way through in spight of them. That having made them∣selves ready, the Spaniards had not the Courage to stay for them, contenting themselves only with firing a few Mosquets at a distance, and so fairly took to their Heels, while he pursued his March towards his Canoes, which had, as Good Luck would have it, been left in a Place, where the Renegadoes could not shew them to the Enemy.

He told us moreover, that some time after his return from that Mine, they had been at Pueblo Viego, by the way of a River that runs not above four Leagues, and discharges her self into the Bay of Napalla; that they had surprized the Town, and that after having rested there for some days, as they were coming back to re∣joyn their Canoes, they had met with an Ambuscade, laid for them under the Covert of a Retrenchment,

guarded by Six Hundred Men out of the Garrison of Realeguo, which began to be inhabited again, with whom they had fought a long time: But finding the Spaniards stood to it more tightly than ordinary, they threw them∣selves into their Retrenchment, where killing all about them that made any resistance, they wrought a great Slaughter amongst them; That one part of them con∣tinued Prisoners; while the other fled without any more ado, and forsook their Retrenchment as well as the three Colours they had set up there: That the Free∣••••••ters had lost no more than three Men, but that the Spaniards in the heat of the Action killed several Priso∣ners of the one and the other Sex, which the other had brought away from the Town, who after this went on board their Vessels: That some Months after, not con∣curring with a Design which Fourscore and five of his Men had taken, of going down towards the Isles of Ca∣ly••fornia, he had resolved with the Sixty that remained with him to go up towards Panama, where happening, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I have told you, to meet us, we gave both him and his Men room in our Ships, where we learnt this whole Relation from them.

On the 30th. we quitted our Ships, and went in our Canoes into several Rivers which discharge themselves into this Bay of Caldaira, and amongst the rest into a ••ery fine one, whereon we went up Ten Leagues, in ••ll which space we always found her of the same depth ••••d breadth. Several Spaniards told us, that a matter of Forty or Fifty Leagues higher there was a Mountain, ••••om whence arises the Spring of this River, and on the ••ther side of the same Mountain arises also a Spring, ••om which runs the River St. Iohn, that discharges its if into the North Sea at the White Point,

We took a large Canoe, laden with Tallow, in this ••iver, which some time after was of great use to us, by ••ay of Food, as we went to Queaquilla: We also found the Hatto's on this River's side, where we refreshed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 selves till the 6th. of February, when we returned a board our Ships. On the 12th. we departed, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to go the third-time and visit Nicoya; We arrived ••••re next day in the Evening, and presently detatched 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Parties to get us Intelligence concerning the Spa∣••••ards, who never appeared since they had threatned us 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their Succours, instead of the Ransom we required

of them for saving their Town,* 4.5 which they still refu∣sing to satisfie us for, we burnt it this Third time, and on the 17th. went our ways.

But though we were forced to chastise the Spaniards in this manner, we shewed our selves very exact in the Preservation of the Churches, into which we carried the Pictures and Images of the Saints which we found in par∣ticular Houses, that they might not be exposed to the rage and burning of the English, who were not much pleased with these sorts of Precautions; they being Men that took more satisfaction and pleasure to see one Church burnt, than all the Houses of America put together. But as it was our turn now to be the stronger Party, they durst do nothing that derogated from that respect we bore to all those things.

Nicoya was a small Town,* 4.6 Pleasant enough taken al∣together; Its Churches are very fine, and the Houses as ill built; they have a pretty River there, that runs a∣bout one half of the Town round; but when one is within, you cannot know which way it is you have entered, nor how to go out, because of the height of the Mountains wherewith it is surrounded every way.

We were no sooner gone from this Town, but the Spaniards sent to set Fire to the Roads through which we were to pass, which yet we happily escaped, because they had but just begun to do it: We took one of this Men who was hemmed in between us and the Fire, and who conducted us to several Estancia's, from which we did not return before the 20th. And on the 22d. wep•• Forty Prisoners a Shoar, who were too chargeable to be kept on Board with us.

Some Men perhaps may be amazed at what I have said concerning the burning of the Roads,* 4.7 but they would be much more so had they seen it as we have done there were two sorts of Places where this burning was wont to be practised, to wit, in the Savana's and Woods•• when the former were set on Fire, whose Grass was al∣most as high as our Heads, and also as dry in a manner as Powder, we found our selves so besieged on the right and left side of the Road with the Flame, that it made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 feel it to some purpose, tho' the same were of no long du∣ration ; But when these Roads lead through Convert and woody Countries, as in the present Occasion whereof am speaking, and that once fire be fet thereunto,〈◊〉〈◊〉

may see, according to the course of the Wind, the Coun∣try for several Leagues burnt in a little time, to which the dryness of things doth very much contribute,* 4.8 the Sun being exceeding hot at that Season.

On the Twenty third we sent our Quarter-Master on Board the English, to make an agreement with them: we proposed to go in Conjunction with them to take Queaquilla (where the Spaniards drove a great Trade by Sea) upon Condition that if we took Two Ships, we should cast Lots who should chose, and that in case there were but one taken, that then we would put Fifty Men of each Nation on board her, till such time as we could take another, which they would not agree to, as insisting upon the First choice: So that seeing we could not bring them to comply, we parted as well from them as from Captain Grogniet and Fifty of our Men who staid on board him; so that they had an Hundred and forty two Men in their Ship, and we an Hundred and Sixty two in our Frigate, and long Bark.

On the Twenty fourth we weighed and set fail for Queaquilla, which is the First maritime Town on the South Coast as you go thither from Panama; we made all the sail we could to get thither before the English, who had formed the same Design as we had done; we lay by till the 25th. to get out of the Bay, and in passing from the White Cape, we steered South South-West, South and by South-West, and directly South to the 28th. in the Evening, that we had on our Starboard side a West North-West Wind, bearing us to the South, which lasted till the 29th. when we were becalmed in the Night: On the First of March towards Noon arose a pretty fresh Gale from the North, which made us bear South South-West, and South South-East, till the 4th. in the Morning, when an Easterly Breeze took us and made us bear South; on the Fifth arose a North-West Wind; and on the Eighth at Noon we passed the Equi∣noctial Line, leaving the Isles of Galapa, which are be∣low to the West, a douzen Leagues to Leeward.

These are Eight Islands that stand North and South of the Whihe Cape, and East and West from Queaquilla; they are full of Sea Tortoises that land there every Hour of the Day, and you cannot find a Place to tread on or walk along in the Woods, for the great numbers of land Tortoises, Lizards, and Agoutils, that retire thither:

The Sea thereabouts is also so fruitful in the production of Fish, that they come to the very Sands to die there, but these advantages on the other hand are encountred with the want of Water, whereof these Islands are en∣tirely destitute.

The Wind towards Evening came to North North-East, and made us bear East and by South-East to keep to the Continent; the Weather on the Tenth in the Morning grew very dark, and we having a Southerly Blast, we bore East, and East and by South-East till the Eleventh, when we were becalmed: on the Thir∣teenth arose an East Wind, and we bore to the South South-East upon a tack, and North North-East, and then lay by for some time, because we did not know the Currents: On the 14th. having a North East Wind, we bore East South-East, and accordingly as it blew fresh we steered East and by South-East, and East: on the Fif∣teenth Two Hours before Day-light we had a Storm and then a South Wind, we steered East all that Day, but we had such bad Weather the following Night, that we could not carry our Sails; next Day about Noon the Weather grew better, and an Easterly Breeze presented; we lay by till the Eighteenth at Noon, when we disco∣vered a Ship to Windward of us, to whom we gave chase till the Evening; she proved to be the English Ship that had parted from us when we came out of the Bay of Caldaira, who knowing who we were, put into the Cape, we came to Leeward of her; but she spread out her Sails and got to Leeward of us; after we had given one another this salutation, we put out for Two Hours to see which sailed best, but knowing at last they were the better Sailors, and fearing they might reach Queaquilla before us, we desired them to joyn with us in our Design, to which when they agreed, we set fail together; we found our selves much perplext to know what Latitude we might be in, since we had not seen the Sun for Ten Days together. But it happily fell out, that it appeared on the Nineteenth; our Pilots computed we might be about Five and twenty Leagues to Windward of Queaquilla, and Sixty Leagues from Land; but the Winds varied to that degree, that we could make no way, and many times went contrary▪

On the 20th. we had a West Wind, and steered East and by South-East till the 21st, when we were becalmed▪

On the 24th. arose a South Wind, and on the 26th. an Easterly Breeze: at last the Wind persisting to be con∣trary, we were reduced to great want of Victuals, for we had already been upon our passage longer than our Provision would allow us, to which we may add, that Fish had till now been so scarce, and hard to catch, that we had but little support from them: So that having on the 28th. taken an Accompt of the remainder of our Victu∣alling, we were forced to retrench our selves so far as to eat but once in Forty eight Hours: we also wanted Wa∣ter, and had it not been for the help of Rain, we had certainly died of thirst; but what made us amends for one part of our wants, was that we found our selves all of a sudden in a Kingdom of large Fishes, such as Em∣perors, Tunnies, Germons, Galdenies, Negros, Boni∣toes, and several others, to whom we gave no quar∣ter, no more that to the Sea Wolfs, who for all their ill smell could not escape us. During that time we bore to the North-East, the Wind not allowing us to keep on our designed Course, that if the worst came to the worst, we might by this course reach the Isle of St. Iohn, pursuant to the Design we had formed upon meeting with this contrary Wind, of putting in there, in case the same continued all the way: On the 29th. after we had taken the Latitude, our Pilots computed us to be opposite to the Isle of Platta, Thirty Leagues to Leeward of Quea∣quilla: on the 30th. being Easter-Day, we were but one degree North Latitude; in the Twi light the Wind be∣gan to blow fresh, and bore us East North-East: next Day the Wind came South South-West, we steering East, East and by South-East, and East South-East: On the 3d. of April we were becalmed; and as we had for the space of Two Days, by the computation of our Pilots, sailed towards Land; they were of Opinion that the Currents deceived them, of which we made our selves satisfied by the following manner: On the Fourth the Weather being very calm we furled our Sails, and put out one of our Pirogues, about whose Fore-Castle we spun Sixty Fathom of our smallest Rope, made fast unto a Grapling Iron, and from that Coast she made from, the Tide ran along her side with as much swift∣ness as the Current of a River, and bore to the North-East: on the Fifth we caulked our Ships; towards Mid∣night a South-West Wind presented it self, and we bore South-East.

On the 6th. in the Morning we discovered Land both to Windward and Leeward of us, we veered to, least we should be brought too near, and steered South: On the 8th. we were about Four or Five Leagues off, and our coasting Pilots knew the Place to be Cape Pastao, which is under the Line Thirty Leagues to Leeward of the Isle of Platta; we had all hands aloft, and steered South: On the 9th. we bore to the South South-East till the Evening, and to the South-West till Ten at Night, when we steered to the South South-East: and on the IIth. we were got to the heighth of the Isle of Platta, Eighteen Leagues out at Sea.

On the 12th. at Noon we saw the Point of Sancta Helena,* 4.9 which is Fifteen Leagues to Leeward of Quea∣quilla, and forms the beginning of the Bay that bears the Name of that Town: On the 12th. at Night we saw Fire to Windward of us; we lay by till break of Day, when we discovered a Ship Three Leagues to Wind∣ward of us, and as we were becalmed, we sent Three Pirogues to know what she was; they found her to be a Prize, laden with Wine and Corn, which Captain Da∣vid had taken as she came out of Nasca, and which was separated from him; he had put Eight English Men on Board to Conduct her, who were to have their Rendez∣vous in case of a separation, at the Isle of Platta: These Men told us that after they had left St Iohn's Island, they made several Descents, and in several Parts of that Coun∣try, among others at Sagua, Arrica, and Pisca, that in the last of these Places, a Relation of the Vice-Roy of Lima, came at the Head of Eight hundred Men to at∣tack them with Sword in hand, but that they were vigo∣rously repulsed, that they had also taken a great many Ships, which, when they pillaged, they let go again; so that finding they had got to the value of Five thousand pieces of Eight a Man, they had resolved to return to the North Sea, and that as they sailed•• away for the Streights of Magellan they fell to gaming, whereat many lost all they had got; that they had anchored in the Road which leads to the Isles of Dom Fernandez, that stand upon the brink of the Streight, to which Place came Captain Willnet, an English Man, who had left them long before, and was come thither upon the same Design with themselves of repassing into the North Seas by the same Streights; but that Captain David had

altered his Resolution, for that those of his Crew who had lost their Money, were not willing to leave these Seas nor the Ship till they had taken another; That as for those who had won, they went on Board Captain Will∣net, out of which Ship went also, at the same time, such of his Cr••w as were without Money, in order to go and get some with Captain David, and that so they were come back into the South Sea, to the number of Sixty English, and Twenty French, as Willnet was gone through the Streight, for the North Sea; that Captain Peter Henry was gone for the East-Indies, presently after Cap∣tain Suams; and lastly they told us (tho' we had been informed thereof before) that the Spanish Fleet was a ca∣reening at Puerto Callao, which, as I have already said, is the Place of Embarking, that belongs to Lima.

As these Eight English Men did not think that Cap∣tain David's Frigate would rejoyn them so quickly at the Place of Rendezvous, they proposed going with us to Queaquilla, which we so much the more willingly agreed to, in that they gave us a share of their Victuals and Drink, and a little revived amongst us, that usual meriment that had now for some time been exiled from us, by the abstinences we were forced to undergo, where∣with we were extreamly weakned; Then we sailed all Night in their Company steering South-East and by East.

On the 14th. we furled all our Sails for fear of being discovered from Land, near unto which we were: About two arose a Fog, by favour whereof we made use of our main Sail of all, as well to come ready Rigged into the Bay, which is Thirty Leagues in length, as to get to Windward of the River Queaquilla, and to spare our selves also the Labour of rowing so much, for being so extraordinary weak we had not strength to do it.

We steered all Night South-East; And on the 11th. discovered the White Cape, which is the Windward Cape of this Bay; about Ten in the Morning, we embarked to the number of Two hundred and Sixty Men on Board our Canoes, after having given our Ships Orders to lay by in the Bay, till they heard News from us. We steered all Day long for the Island Sancta Clara, with which we came up at Sun setting; this little Island is in reality no∣thing else but a Rock, standing East and West, Six Leagues distant from the Continent; we were obliged

to cast Anchor with all the Tides contrary to us, it being impossible to put into this Bay against the Currents, where we found Six Fathom Water: And on the 16th. we found our selves between Sancta Clara and la Puna, about Five Leagues from the Shoar.

La Puna is a very pretty Island,* 4.10 and may be disco∣vered at a great distance at Sea, because of the Form of it, resembling a Cardinal••s Cap; It's Twenty Leagues in circumference, and stands East and West, Two Leagues from the Continent, and over-against the Mouth of the River Queaquilla; There is a large Burrough built upon it, where, in former times, were kept the King of Spain's Magazines: Great Ships, that is, such▪ as are Two or Three Deck'd ones, that cannot come in∣to the River, Anchor between it and the Island: We hid our selves in this Island all Day, and that with the good Luck of not being discovered by the Sentinels, who were there to the number of Forty of them, though we knew nothing of it: We departed in the Eve∣ning, and got more Southerly, that we might not be dis∣covered from the Continent.

On the 17th. we hid our selves again in a Covert Place upon the same Island; where after we had got an exact Account from our Prisoners of the State, Situation, and Disposition of the Town of Queaquilla, which we were about to go and take, we disposed of our Forces in the following Order: There were Fifty Men making the Forlorn Hope, led by Captain Picard, who commanded our Frigate, to attack the great Fort: Fourscore Gra∣nadiers, commanded by the Captain of our Bark, were to be in the nature of Reserves, and to serve any where as there should be Occasion for them: Captain Grogni•••• with the main Body, was to make himself Master of the Town and Port: And Captain George Hewit, who was Commander of the English Ship, with Fifty of his Men, was to attack the little Fort, and a Thousand Pieces of Eight was promised to any one of the En∣signs, whereof I was one, that should pitch the First Colours upon the great Fort: Things being thus regu∣lated, we left our Covert in the Evening, believing we might be able to enter into the River of Queaquilla that Night, before Day light appear'd; but for all that, all we could do was to gain one of the Points of the Island, which is over-against the River, for we could have the

advantage of the Tyde's coming in but for three Hours, which was the Reason, that on the 18th. as we put off again, that we might the more readily get under the Covert of the Island; Day overtook us, and so discove∣red us to a Sentinel, who set a Cottage on Fire as a Signal to the other Sentinels, that were posted at convenient distances on both sides the River, that he saw us, that so these same might advertise the Town of it: As soon as we got a Shoar, we marched cross a Wood to get to the said Fire, where we found some of those that had kindled it; whereof Two were killed, as they ••••ed to save themselves, and a Third was taken, but we could get no Intelligence from him, for he was but a little Boy.

This day we discovered a Ship entring into the River, we let her pass, being unwilling to come out from un∣der our Covert to fall upon her, for fear of being dis∣covered by those on the main Land, who we supposed knew nothing of us; Because the Inhabitants of Quea∣quilla had not answered the Fire-Signal which the Sen∣tinel of La Puna had given them. Upon the approach of Night, we made ready, and entred into the River of Queaquilla by one of the two Mouths we found there, and by which goes in and out with the Tyde so rapid a Current, that it is enough to carry a Canoe two Leagues in an hour, so that we made four in the space of two hours.

There are two very fine Islands in the two largest parts of this River (which may be about half a League over) under the Covert whereof we hid our selves on the 19th. all day long. We made ready in the Evening, and had the pleasure to be carryed up by the Current without the use of our Oars, for fear lest the Sentinels, who are always placed on this River's sides, should hear the noise of our Rowing: The Design of our Guide was to ••••ss by and Land beyond the Town, because he knew it was weaker, and worse guarded on that side ••han on the other; But his Project failed him, for the ••yde now going out, was as injurious to us, as before ••t had been favourable, and forced us to go ashoar, two ••ours before Day, within Cannon-shot on this side the Town, from whence we discovered a great many Lights, which they usually keep in their Houses all Night ••ong.

This Place where we landed is a Country full of Wa∣ter and Shrubs, a-cross which we were forced to cut 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Way with our Sabres; but we did not know we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unhappily landed over-against a Sentinel, nor that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an hour after that, one of our Men, who was left be∣hind to look after our Canoes, struck fire to light 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pipe with, which he rashly did, contrary to the expr•••••• Prohibition we had given him; which being perceiv•••• by that Sentinel, he made no doubt but there must 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Enemies near: Because the Spaniards, upon pain 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Death, forbid their People to strike fire in the Nigh•• in so much that he presently discharged a small Peter•••••••• to give the Fort notice of it, who readily answered the same with a whole discharge of their Cannon. Being overtaken at that instant of time with a Storm of Ra•••• we were obliged to put in for shelter into a great Hou•••• we found before us, to light the Granadiers Match•••• and wait till Day appeared, during which space t•••• Enemy ••ired continually from the Town to frighten an•• let us understand they were ready to receive us.

On the 20th. at break of Day we marched out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Order towards the Town,* 4.11 with our Drums beating, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Colours flying; and upon our approach, found 〈◊〉〈◊〉 selves stopped by Seven Hundred Men, who attack•••• us from under the Covert of a Wall four Foot and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 half high, and of a Ditch, wherewith the same 〈◊〉〈◊〉 encompassed towards the River's side; which made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 presently suppose it to be their Fort, having had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good Intelligence of the Situation of the Place. Th•••• did all they could to repulse us, and presently kill•••• some of our Men. Being encouraged with this litt•••• Advantage, they had the boldness to Sally out upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Sword in Hand, but seeing we gave them a m•••••• vigorous Reception, they fled without any more ad•••••• and contented themselves with breaking down 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bridges, to hinder us from advancing; But this cou•••• not prevent our crossing the Ditch, and get to the soc•• of the Wall, whereof we rendred our selves Masters ••••••spight of all the Resistance made by them, who wa•• not Proof against our Granadoes, that drove them ••••••to the very Houses, which are all of them built on ••••••pose for Places of Defence, in case they be attacked and from whence in a short time we also drove the••▪ They fled to the Place of Arms, and entrenched them

••••lves in a strong Caze, which we call a Red••••bt, and ••hich, when they had defended for an hour's time, they ••ere also forced to abandon, in so much that we pur∣••ued them from Fort to Fort, till we came to a third, ••hich is the greatest, and most considerable of them ••l: Here they defended themselves a long time; for ••••ey fired continually upon us, by favour of the smoak of ••heir Cannon, which hindred us from seeing them. When ••e were got to the foot of the Pallisadoes, they sal∣••••d out again with Sword in Hand, and having wounded ••ome of our Men, they took one of them Prisoner, but ••e quickly made them leave him, and to run back into ••heir Fort, after they had lost a great many Men. At ••ast, being weary with about Eleven hours Fight, and ••ur Powder being now almost spent, we redoubled our ••fforts in such a manner, that we broke in upon them, ••nd made our selves Masters of this last Fort, but not without loss on our side, since we had Nine Men killed, ••nd a Dozen wounded. We sent out several Parties at ••he same time to pursue those that fled, who were still 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sight of us, while the other Roman Catholicks went 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sing Te Deum in the great Church, after we had first ••ut a Garrison into the Fort.

The Town of Queaquilla is almost built round about little Mountain,* 4.12 whereon stand those three Forts, two whereof are commanded by the third, which is the ••rgest, and all of them Command the Town. The ••reatest, which is that against which we had most to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, is no where strong but to the River-ward, and the ••••o lesser ones are upon the Descent of an Hill, which ••lso looks towards the River, and are each of them ••urrounded with a thin but very high Wall on the out∣••••de; we found none but Petereroes to defend it: There 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Communication between these last two and the ••ther by a Covert-way, on each side whereof are two rows ••f Pallisadoes filled with Earth, and defended also with ••etereroes. In the great Fort, which is also beset with Pallisadoes, we found Seven Pieces of Cannon, carrying ••rom twelve to eighteen Pound Ball; but they could not, ••ecause of the Elevation of the Place, bring their Guns ••o bear low enough to incommode those that were in ••he Town, unless by thundering against the Houses, ••hey should be buried in the Ruins of them. The Ma∣••azines of Powder stand in the middle of the Fort, and

are slightly enough built. The Town, as I have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 served, is to the River-ward encompassed with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 four Foot and an half high, and three Foot thick: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Streets are very strait: The Parish Churches, as well the Convents, are very curiously built; the Houses 〈◊〉〈◊〉 almost all built with Boards, and founded upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for that in the rainy time of the Year, which contin•••• from the beginning of Ianuary to the end of Ap•••••• they are so incommoded, as to be forced to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bridges, and raise Banks of Earth in all the Streets, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 keep off the Water and Mud. Their chief Commod•••• is Cocoe, of which they make Chocolate. We to•• Seven Hundred Prisoners of both Sexes in this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and among the rest was the Governour and his Famil•••• He was wounded, as were several Officers and Men•• Quality, who fought more bravely than Five thousa•••• other Men that defended the Place.

We found in the Place several sorts of Merchandi•••• a great many Pearls and precious Stones,* 4.13 a prodig•••••••• quantity of Silver Plate, and seventy thousand Pieces 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Eight at least; tho' there were Three Millions amo•••• them when we came thither: But as we were all who•••• taken up to make our selves Masters of the Forts; the laid hold of that opportunity to make their escap•• along the River, with the greatest part of their most ••••••luable Moveables: When our Canoes were come to ••••••chor under the Town, we were not backward to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Four of them away in pursuit of the Shallops that ••••••ried the said Riches of the Town away, but then it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 too late: They only took Two and twenty Thousand Pieces of Eight, and a Vermillion Eagle gilt, that b•• served for a Tabernacle to some Church, weighing Sixt•• eight Pounds, and was exceeding Rate, as well for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Workmanship, as Two great Rocks of Emeralds, where with the Eyes of it were made: There were Fourtee•• Barks in the Port, with the Galleys, against whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fought at Pu••blo Nuevo, and Two of the King of Spai•• Ships upon the Stocks, almost finished: We agree•• with the Governour in the Evening about the Price 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his, his Families, the Town, Fort, Cannon, and Shi•• Ransoms, they being to give us a Million of Pieces 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Eight in Gold, and Four hundred Sacks of Corn; an•• in order to forward the payment of the said Ranso•••• which was to be brought from the Town of Quil••

••ighty Leagues off, he desired us to release their Vicar ••eneral, who was a Man of great Authority and Credit ••mongst them.

We found this Governour's House so richly furnish'd, ••••d filled with such precious Moveables, that nothing in ••urope could be more Magnificent: The Women of this own are very Pretty; but most of the Fathers or ••••••ks live here at great Ease, and in such Familiarity ••ith the Fair Sex, that is far from being a good Pattern ••nd Example unto others: The Fathers hated us to that ••gree, that they perswaded the Women, who had never ••en any Freebooters, we were altogether unlike them, ••hat we were not even of human Form, and that we ••ould both eat them and their Children, which made ••hem conceive so much Horror and Aversion for us, that ••hey could not be dispossest thereof, till they came to know ••s better. But then I can boldly say, they entertained ••uite different Sentiments of our Persons, and have given 〈◊〉〈◊〉 frequent instances of so violent a Passion, as pro∣••eeded sometimes even to a degree of Folly.

It's not from a chance Story,* 4.14 that I came to know the ••••pressions wrought in these Women that we were Men ••hat would eat them; For the next Day after the taking of the Town, a Young Gentlewoman that waited upon ••he Governess of the Place happening to fall into my Hands, as I was carrying her away to the Place where the ••est of the Prisoners were kept, and to that end made her walk before me, she turned back, and with Tears in her Eyes told me in her own Language, Senior pur l••amor ••e dios no mi como; that is, Pray, Sir, for the Love of God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not eat me; whereupon I asked who had told her that we were wont to eat People, she answered the Fathers, who had also assured them, that we had not human ••hape, but that we resembled Monkeys.

On the 21st.* 4.15 some of our Men who had made a Fire in the Day time, in one of the Houses of the Town, came to the Court of Guard in the Evening without extinguishing of it; so that at Night it set the Town on Fire; but the fear we were in least the same should reach our Court of Guard, whereon was lodged all the Powder in the Place, and part of the Merchandize and Riches of the Town, we were obliged to get all carried on Board the Barks that were in the Port, and to bring all our Prisoners into the Fort; and when that was done,

we endeavoured to put a stop to the Fire, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 burnt down one third of the Town, notwithstanding all the pains we took to put it out.

We returned on the 22d. in the Morning to our Cour•• of Guard, and fearing least the Spaniards might re∣fuse to pay the Ransom agreed on for the Town, because of this Accident, we having promised by our Treaty with them not to burn it; we took upon us to believe they were the cause of it, and sent them a Letter, where∣in we gave them to understand, we were much surpri∣zed at their manner of procedure; That they should af∣ter our Agreement with them, come with a mischievous Intention to burn the Merchandize and Corn that were of so much use to us, and that we repented we had not left all the Town to be burnt: That if they did not pay us what we had suffered by the Fire, we should send them Fifty of the Prisoners Heads: They thereupon excused the Matter to us, saying they must be some ras∣••ally spightful People that had done this, and they would take care to satisfie us.

On the 23d. the Governour furnished us with a coast∣ing Pilot, whom we sent in one of our Canoes to see foe our Ships, (to whom we had given Orders they should lay by in the Bay) to bring them to an Anchor at the Isle of Puna, whither we were to go at our departure from Queaquilla, to wait, for the promised Ransoms: On the 24th. finding one of our Men was Sick with the Stench which the dead Carcasses, to the number of a∣bove nine hundred, lying up and down the Town, occa∣sioned: We went our ways after we had first dismoun∣ted and nailed up the Cannon in the Fort, and carried Five hundred Prisoners, being the best of the Inhabi∣tants, along with us, into our Barks; wherein we arri∣ved with them on the 25th. at Puna, where we found our Ships ready to cast Anchor.

On the 2d. of May,* 4.16 Captain Grogniet died of the Wound he had received that Day we took the Town, when the Seven hundred Spaniards opposed our entering the Fort, and the same Day died Four of our Men also: On the 4th. we sent our Galley to the Isle of Platta, to see if Captain David's Frigate was come to Rendezvous there.

The time allowed for the payment of the Ransom of Queaquilla, being expired on the Ninth, we granted

them Four Days longer;* 4.17 but then we began to be weary of this delay, when a Spanish Bark that was wont to car∣ry us Provision, brought an Officer in her, who desired us not to be impatient, for the Ransom would be quick∣ly paid: Now this Dilatoriness made us begin to sus∣spect very much that there was some treachery in the Case, and that they entertained us with hopes for no other end than to amuse us, till such time as the Ene∣my were reinforced. And our guess was right enough, as will appear hereafter; insomuch that we were con∣strained to use such severity towards our Prisoners, which we knew would strike a Terror into our Enemies. We made them through Dice for their Lives, and the Lot falling upon the Heads of Four, we cut them off pre∣sently, and sent them to Queaquilla in the same Vessel that had brought the said Officer unto us, by whom we let the Tenient understand, that if the Ransom did not come within four Days, we would send them the Heads of all the rest of the People that were in our Power.

Our Galley on the 14th. returned from the Isle of Platta, and related that she had been chased about the Point of Sancta Helena by Two Ships, which she could not discover what they were, and this made us that Evening send out one of our Canoes that sailed well to see what those Ships might be: On the 16th. she found they came to joyn us, they being Captain Da∣vid's Frigate and a Prize he had taken after the other had been separated from them, which we met before we went to Queaquilla; they came with full Resolution to make a Descent at Paita, in order to get some Refresh∣ments for their Men, who had been wounded in a Fight they had had with a Spanish Ship called Catalina, which they met Fifty Leagues to Leeward of Lima, and was one of those that we had for so long a time waited for before that Town.

This Ship Catalina was separated from Two more with whom she was returning to the Port of Callao,* 4.18 when unfortunately for her she met with Captain David's Fri∣gate, that sailed much better than she, and could have taken her, without making as he did Two Days Fight or it, had it not been that the greatest part of his Crew be∣ing continually Drunk, failed Twenty times to come up close to board her, and sufferred themselves to fall to Leeward because of their ill rigging, as often as they

found themselves to Windward of her; which being obser∣ved by the Spaniards, they thought by putting up a bloody Flag, they would be quickly brought to strike, but there∣in they were mistaken, and the quite contrary fell out▪ For David's People growing sober on the Third Day and putting their Tackle and Rigging into better order than before, the Spaniards were so terrifyed thereat, that they ran a Shoar where their Ship did not keep whole Two Hours: David's Men in a Canoe went to save Two Spaniards who were about swiming to Land, and now having escaped the danger of Drowing, told them that their Captain having had his Thigh shot off with a Cannon Ball, had desired his Lieutenant before his Death to lose no time, but to go without tarrying, to acquaint the Viceroy of Lima, of the dangerous Estate the Fri∣gate was reduced to, that he might send without delay to her assistance.

Our Canoe which on the 22d. came to rejoyn us, and gave the foresaid Information, brought also along with her Captain David's Prize, which he had sent to desire us to get a Main Mast to be brought him from Quea∣quilla, as somewhat of our Ransom, his having been very much damnified in the last Engagement; And that till it came, he would Cruise without the Bay to prevent our being surprized by the Spaniards.

I forgot to take notice that this Ship's Crew had at Paita, surprized a Courier that was going from Quea∣quilla to Lima the third time, to carry the following Let∣ter unto the Viceroy, which clearly made out unto us the suspitions we had entertained before, that the Spa∣niards deferred to pay us the promised Ransom, that they might have time to prepare themselves to come and pay us in a sort of Coyn we had no Occasion for, and which we did not require at their hands.

A Letter of the Tenient of Queaquilla, to the Viceroy of Lima.

SIR,

I Am to inform your Excellency,* 5.1 the second time, that the English and French are still at Puna; It's several Days since the term they had allowed us for the Redemption of our Prisoners is expired; I have done it on purpose that your Excellency might gain time.

They have sent me four of our Peoples Heads: I will amuse them with some thousands of Peices of Eight from time to time, (though they have no Reason to be weary) while your Excellency may please to come, and though they should yet send me fifty Heads more, I shall esteem that loss to be much less Preju∣dicial to us, than to suffer such evil-disposed People to live. Now, Sir, we have a brave opportunity to get rid of them, provided your Excellency lose no time to do it.

We could not have received a more certain Testimo∣••y of the Thoughts and Designs of our Enemies, than ••hose discovered by this Letter unto us, so we took our measures accordingly.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A pretty adven∣ture of the Free∣booters.
• * 1.2

  They take Sancta Catalina, the Town of Ni∣coya, and a good Booty.
• * 2.1

  The Go∣vernour of Costa Rica his Letter to the Pre∣sident of Panama.
• * 3.1

  The Pre∣sident's Letter to the Go∣vernour.
• * 4.1

  The Te∣nient of Sanso∣nat's Let∣ter to the President of Pana∣ma.
• * 4.2

  The Spa∣niards pay the Ran∣som of the Inhabi∣tants of Nicoya.
• * 4.3

  Captain Grogniet rejoyns the other Free∣booters.
• * 4.4

  Grog∣niet's Ad∣ventures.
• * 4.5

  The Free∣booters burn Ni∣coya.
• * 4.6

  A De∣scription of Ni∣coya.
• * 4.7

  How the Spani∣ards burn the Roads.
• * 4.8

  They part from the English, and Grog∣niet again.
• * 4.9

  An Ac∣count of the Eng∣lish Ad∣ventures.
• * 4.10

  A De∣scription of the Isle of Puna.
• * 4.11

  They at∣tack and take Quea∣quilla.
• * 4.12

  A De∣scription of Quea∣quilla.
• * 4.13

  They got a ••••st B••o∣ty in Quea∣quilla.
• * 4.14

  An odd Story of a Spanish Woman.
• * 4.15

  Quea∣quilla fired by accident.
• * 4.16

  The death of Cap∣tain Grog∣niet.
• * 4.17

  The Spa∣niards treacherous.
• * 4.18

  Captain David worsts the the Spa∣niards at Sea.
• * 5.1

  The Te∣nient of Quea∣quilla's Letter to the Vice∣roy of Lima.