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. V. (Book 5)

The remaining Actions of the Freebooters in the South Seas, during 1687. (Book 5)

THE best Winter Quarters which we had met with in these Seas,* 1.1 and that of longest duration, was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the time of our sojourning upon this Island of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Puna, where for the space of Thirty odd Days that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 staid here, we lived mighty well; for besides the ••••ctuals which the Spaniards brought us dayly from Queaquilla, we had brought thither our selves a great ••••ny Refreshments, neither did we want Charms for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ears in this Place, for we had all the Musick of the ••own among our Prisoners, which consisted of Lutes, ••heorbs, Gittars, Harps, and other Instruments, I ne∣••r saw any where else, wherewith they made a very fine ••onsort.

Some of our Men grew very familiar with our Wo∣••en Prisoners, who without offering them any violence ••ere not sparing of their Favours, and made appear, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I have already remarked, that after they came once 〈◊〉〈◊〉 know us, they did not retain all the Aversion for us, ••••••t had been inculcated into them, when we were ••••rangers unto them▪ All our People were so charmed

with this way of living, that they forgot their past 〈◊〉〈◊〉 series, and thought of no more Danger from the Spa••niards than if they had been in the middle of Paris.

Amongst the rest,* 1.2 my self had one pretty Adventure among the other Prisoners we had a Young Gentlewo••men lately become a Widow of the Treasurer of the Town, who was slain when it was taken: Now th•••• Woman appear'd so far comforted for her loss, ou•••• an hardheartedness they have in this Country one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 another, that she proposed to hide me and her self 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some corner of the Island till our People were gone, an•• that then she would bring me to Queaquilla to marr•• her; That she would procure me her Husband's Offi•••• and vest me in his Estate, which was very great: Whe•• I had returned her Thanks for such obliging offers, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gave her to understand that I was affraid her Inte•••••••• had not the mastery over the Spaniards Resentme•••••• and that the Wounds they had received from us, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yet too fresh and green for them easily to forget them▪ She went about to cure me of my Suspicion, by procu••••ing secretly from the Governour and chief Officers, pro••mises under their Hands, how kindly I should be use•• by them. I confess I was not a little perplext herewith and such pressing Testimonies of Good-will and Friend••ship towards me, brought me, after a little Consul••••••tion with my self, into such a Quandary, that I did no•• know which side to close with; nay, I found my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at length much inclined to close with the Offers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me: And I had two powerful Reasons to ind•••••• me thereunto, one of which was the miserable and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 guishing Life we lead in those Places, where we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in perpetual Hazzard to lose it, which I should be fr•••• from by an advantagious Offer of a pretty Wom•••• and a considerable Settlement; the other proceeded 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the despair I was in of ever being able to return into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 own Country, for want of Ships fit for that purpose But when I began to reflect upon these things with little more leasure and consideration, and that I re••∣ved with my self, how little Trust was to be given 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Promises and Faith of so perfidious, as well as ••••••dictive a Nation as the Spaniards, and more especi•••• towards Men in our Circumstances, by whom they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 been so ill used; this Second Reflection carried it agai•••• the First, and even all the Advantages offered me 〈◊〉〈◊〉

this Lady: But however the matter was, I was resolved, in spight of the Grief and Tears of this pretty Wo∣man, to prefer the continuance of my Troubles (with a Ray of hope I had of seeing France again) before the perpetual Suspicion I should have had of some Trea∣chery designed against me. Thus I rejected her Propo∣sals, but so, as to assure her I should retain, even as long as I lived, a lively Resentment of her Affections and good Inclinations towards me.

On the 23d. we sent one of our Canoes to Queaquilla to carry one of the Fathers thither, they being a People as much obeyed and respected by that Nation, as the Viceroys themselves. The Governour gave this Man a full Power to act as he pleased, even in opposition to the Obstructions which the Tenient made against the Payment of the Ransom afore-mentioned. After his departure came a Bark which brought us Four and Twenty Sacks of Meal, and to the value of Twenty Thousand Pieces of Eight in Gold: They desired us moreover, to grant them three days time for the Pay∣ment of the rest, which we allowed them, but withal threatned, that upon their failure therein, we should seize upon their Fort, and burn their Town and Ships.

Our Canoe returned on the 25th. who gave us an Ac∣count they would pay no more than Two and Twenty Thousand Pieces of Eight for the rest of the Ransom, and that the Tenient would pursue his Prince's Orders, who forbad the payment of any; That he had Five Thousand Men at hand, with which he waited to see if we would put our Threats in Execution. Upon this ••••••••ce and bold Answer, we had a Consultation together, whether we should cut off the Heads of all the Priso∣ners: The Plurality of Voices, together with mine, was, That it were better we should go and look after the Two and Twenty Thousand Pieces of Eight, than shed any more Blood; seeing also that our Design being to leave these Seas, we had no farther occasion for these Executions to make us be feared; and that after all, we were but too well assured by the Tenient's Letter, that the Spaniards were setting all things in Order, to come and act their utmost Effort against us, which perhaps would administer matter of Repentance unto us, if we still persisted in our Resolution: That therefore we ought to accept of the Offer, and to give up unto them

no other than the meanest of the Prisoners, without divesting our selves of those of Quality, who would be a Security unto us for the rest: That while we waited for them, it was our best way to take them along with us, and put off from the Shoar, steering towards the Point of St. Helena, where we should be out of danger of the surprizes of our Enemies, whose Motions we could every way discover at a distance. Things being thus concluded on, we sent our Canoe to Queaquilla, who returned again the 25th. and told us, that next day, the Spaniards would without fail bring us the Two and Twenty Thousand Pieces of Eight to the Isle of Puna, where we then were.

We put the same day Fifty of our best Prisoners on board our Ships, and at the same time weighed Anchor, and quitted our good Winter Quarters, where we left the rest of our Prisoners, with two Canoes to Guard them, and to wait for the Money promised us; giving our Men Orders to tell those that brought it, that they should send us the remainder of what was agreed on, to the Point of St. Helena, and upon default thereof, that they should see their People no more. Our Canoes on the 26th. in the Evening came to joyn us, as we lay by to get out of this Bay, and brought us the Two and Twenty Thousand Pieces of Eight.

Next Night the English Frigate's Prize,* 1.3 who thought we lay still at Anchor at la Pruna (from whence she met us about Eight Leagues) came to give us notice, that two Spanish Armadilla's waited our coming out of the Bay, and that David's Frigate lay by, as they did, to stay for us: On the 27th. by break of Day we dis∣covered them between the Isle of St. Clare and the Point of St. Helena, to Windward of us. Captain David•••• Frigate, upon sight of us, made up presently to us, and having got all together, we consulted what we were best to do: We put ••ourscore of our Men on board of him, because he had not number enough of his own to manage his Guns; and as we had not Men enough to manage our Prizes, we reserved only but two Ships, and a long Bark, and sent the rest with our Pirogues upon the Flats, where the Spanish Ships could not come, as drawing more Water than they did. We lay by till•• Noon, to get the Weather-gage, which yet we could not do, because at this time of the Year the Winds blow

from the Sea, and are very fixed, and that besides, as we came out of the bottom of the Bay we could not well hope to gain it, the Spaniards being at the Mouth thereof.

About Noon our Enemies came upon us, and so we sought till the Evening with our Cannon, which the Spaniards call Gallant Fighting, without much hurting of one another: We cast Anchor upon the approach of Night, as they did also about a League to Windward of us: We fired a Gun for our Prizes to come up, which they did, and cast Anchor near us, for their greater Se∣curity.

We sent them back about an hour before Day-light to their former Station, and as soon as ever Light ap∣peared, we made ready, and the Spaniards did the same, but no sooner were we got under Sail, but we were be∣calmed: Unhappily it fell out that we were without our Pirogues to tow us to Windward, because we had sent them back with our Prizes, to avoid the trouble they might have caused us, and therefore all we could do now, was to make use of our little Canoes, which we had still with us; the Spaniards also towed to Wind∣ward, to dispute the matter with us, however, with much ado we got a Cannot-shot to Windward of them; But as they knew better how to bear close up to the Wind in these Seas than we, in half an hour's time they recovered the Weather-gage of us. We lay by till Two in the Afternoon, and seeing we could do no good with them, we put in to the Cape, to wait for two of our Ships, that were behind. In the mean time these Arma∣dilla's bore up to us, and when they had got within a good Cannon-shot, we fought till it was dark Night, they very much shattered us, yet wounded but one Man; we anchored in the Evening as we had done the day before, and they did the same also to Windward of us.

We remained at Anchor on the 29th. as well as they, till Three in the Afternoon, when they weighed to go and attack the biggest of our Prizes, because she had anchored only on the side of the Shallows, and we made ready to defend her: We came to such a close Fight with them, that our Small Arms, as well as Great Guns, came into play on both sides; yet we lost not one Man, tho' they on their side had a great many killed, which

we knew by the Blood that ran out of their Skupper∣holes, and at our parting they cryed, A la manana la partida; that is, To Morrow to it again.

On the 30th. both they and we prepared to put out of the Bay, and the Spaniards, who were still to Wind∣ward, did all they could to hinder us to get the Weather∣gage. We came to an Anchor towards Noon, to dis∣arm one of our Prizes, that sailed very badly, and to fit up another in the room of her, which Captain David gave us, as well as the Twenty Frenchmen that made part of his Crew, and were minded to leave him. We wrought all Night to unrigg her, and when we had so done, we sent her into the Bottom. We put our selves under Sail on the 31st. and about Two in the Afternoon came to an Anchor, because of the Tyde's being against us: Presently after, the two Armadilla's came up with us, which made us weigh, and then to put in at the Cape, to wait for one of our Prizes, that was far from us, which not being able to joyn us as soon as the Enemy, her Crew left her, and went into her Pirogue, wherein they came to throw themselves on board one of our Men of War: They had left four Spaniards in that same Prize, who, by the favour of a good Wind, put back into the River of Queaquilla, where they made their Escape, and, what was worst of all, took along with them almost all our Provisions that was in her.

When we were got within half Cannon-shot of our Enemies Ships, we fired upon one another, and that without intermission, till an hour within Night: We received several Cannon-shot in our Sides, during this Engagement, had almost all our Tackle spoiled, and our Sails sifted, because the Spaniards did all that ever they could to bring our Masts by the board, and indeed the Fore-Mast of the Frigate received five Cannot-shot, and the Main-Mast three, but they came only slanting, and, as good luck would have it, we had not one Man killed nor wounded.

We saw the Enemy on the first of Iune by break of Day, a League's distance from us; we were not slow to do all we could to put out: About Ten they lengthen'd their Boltspring-Sails, and returned upon us, but as we saw them bear up towards our Frigate, we thought they intended to board her, and this made us presently put into her the Crew of our long Bark, by

way of Reinforcement. As soon as ever the Spaniards were come up, they put out their Burgundian Colours, having till then put out none: When we were come pretty near, they gave us a Volley of Musquet-shot, together with a discharge of their Cannon, laden with Cartouches, but we got clear of them, so that they could not come to grapple with us.

After we had left them to make all the Fire they could, we gave them a Discharge of all our Cannon, and a full Volley with our small Arms in our turn, and then we were ready to board them; but they finding themselves much damaged, very readily got aloof to hinder us.

They took up an hour's time to refit, then bore up to us again, renewing the Fight, which lasted till Night; but they had been so well banged; that they had no mind to feel us this time so near, and that day we had three Men wounded.

On the second by break of Day they were still to Windward of us at about two Leagues distance, and bore up to us; We having a fresh Gale, put into the Cape, and when they were come within a good Cannot-shot of us, they plyed us very tightly with their Great Guns, and then approached within Musquet-shot of us, as believing we were now out of Condition to make any longer Resistance: But as we had a better Advantage of using our Fusils, we made so great a fire upon them, that they were forced to close up their Port-holes, and bear up to the Wind. We received Sixty Cannon shot this day in our Sides, whereof two Thirds were between Wind and Water; besides which, all our Rigging was torn, and we had two Men wounded, whereof my self was one.

About two hours within Night they made a shew of coming to board us, but finding we were as well prepa∣red to receive them by Night as by Day, they bore upon the Wind: We spent some part of this Night at Anchor to stop up our Cannons Mouths, which otherwise might have sent us into the Deep.

We were astonished next Morning at break of Day that we could not set sight of the two Armadilla's, with whom we had made our selves ready to renew the Fight, and in all appearance they grew weary of it before us, tho' they had so great an Advantage as that of the

Wind, which yet, as we heard since, could not secure them from losing a great many Men, and having their Ships at least as much shattered as ours: So that sup∣posing well with our selves that they had steered their Course to Port Calla••, we steered ours for the Isle of Plaita, where we anchored in the Evening, and conti∣nued there two Days to caulker our Ships.

We had, during th••se several Engagements, brought up upon our Decks, the Governour of Queaquilla, and the other chief •• Officers that were our Prisoners, that they might be Witnesses of the Vigour with which ou•• Men fought, and the Cowardize of their own People, who durst not enter our Ships, tho they came Board and Board with us twice.

We weighed on the sixth, and sailed along the Coast, that we might find a convenient Place to take in Water▪ This Coast is very level, safe, and very good to Land up∣on, which is the reason that the same is throughout, as far as Barbacoa, inhabited by the Spaniards: We Ancho∣red between Cape Pastoa and that of St. Francisco. On the Tenth, we put our Prisoners ashoar, and gave them their Liberty, being not able ••o go to the Point St. Hele∣na, to see whether their Ransom was come, which I sup∣pose would have been to little purpose, for those two Armadilla's had been sent to pay us with Cannon-Ball.

On the 11th.* 1.4 we went about dividing the Gold, pre∣cious Stones and Pearls we had found in Queaquilla; but as these things could not be divided, nor easily valued, the Gold not being Coyned, and the Stones of different value, we put up all by way of Auction, that those who had Silver might bid for them, and so every Man have his part according as he bad; and as there were several among us who having got considerable sums of Money at Play, were sure, that if it pleased God they should once get safe out of these Seas, their way must be no other than over Land, where the weight of their Silver must hinder or retard their going; they bid for those lewels that kept but little Room, and weigh'd not much, so excessive a Price, that the Gold alone that was Coyned was worth Eighty and an hundred Pieces of Eight an Ounce, and each Pistol Fifteen of the said Pieces: But though these things were sold so dear, we made no more a Division of the Booty of that Town than what came to Four hundred Pieces of Eight a Man,

the whole might amount to about Five hundred thou∣sand Pieces of Eight, or Fifteen hundred thousand Livers; which Money, as we were out of hopes to carry along with us, served us to play for on Board our Ships for our Diversion: So that in the Descents we made, we sought now for nothing but Gold and precious Stones, which we did not find so plentiful as Silver; of which, I must be plain, we made so little account, that we thought it not worth our while to take along with us a great quan∣tity of Plate and other things, whereof the Town of Queaquilla was full: We also neglected to send a Canoe after the hundred Caons of Coyned Silver, each consisting of Eleven thousand Pieces of Eight, which the Spaniards had sent away to the other side of the River, when we were engaged with them, and which were yet in sight of us when the Fight was over. There is such a vast quantity of that rich Mettal in this Country, that most of those things we make in France out of Steel, Copper, and Iron, are made by them in Silver: This indifference in us gave some of their People many times occasion to intermix with us, to Pillage from their own fellow Citi∣zens what we neglected, and of which they were not so squeamish as we, or rather so put to it for the Carriage of them, they being in their own Country, and we far from ours.

On the 12th. Captain Davids's Frigate left us,* 1.5 he de∣signing to go and Careen at the Isles of Galapas, and then to sail away for the Streight of Magellan, in order to re∣turn for the North Sea; But as for us, our Vessels were so small, and withal so bad, that it was impossible we should get up higher than the Coast of Peru; neither could they also, contain such a quantity of Water as we had occasion for, which is very hard to come by on that Coast, where you must go two or three Leagues up the Country before you can meet with any. These Difficulties made us resolve to return to the Western Coast, that so we might endeavour to find out a way also to return to the North Sea, but that must be no other than over Land.

Before I leave this Coast,* 1.6 I cannot but take Notice, that Peru is one of the richest Countries in the World, not only in respect to the great quantity of Gold and Silver which the Spaniards dig out of the Mines they possess there, but also upon account of the great Fertility

of the Earth, that produceth to the Tillers of it three Crops every Year, as well of Corn as Wine; and that besides those Fruits that are peculiar to all America, you have also many of those here which grow in France, in so much that this great Diversity of Species's is the occa∣sion that you have continual Supplies of fresh Fruits in all the Seasons of the Year.

The Inhabitants of this Country reckon but two Sea∣sons, which divide the whole Year into a Summer of Nine Months, and a Winter of three, during which, it freezes oftentimes very hard on the Mountains, though the same is hardly discernable in the Plains: Amongst their other Cattle they breed Sheep, that weigh two hun∣dred and fifty, or three hundred Pound-weight: These Animals are of great use to them, having the very same Instinct as Camels. They make them carry Jarrs of Wa∣ter, Oyl, or Wine, which are a sort of Earthen-ware made like Sugar-pans, two of which holds about five and thirty Quarts, and when empty, weigh as much as the Liquor that fills them: When they are minded to fill them, these Sheep will kneel down, and as soon as they are full, get up very gently; when they are come to the place whither they are to carry them, they lay them down in the same manner, and so continue till they are discharged of their Burthen.

We weigh'd on the 13th. and on the 15th. Anchored twenty Leagues to Windward of Point Mangla, we put ashoar in a Canoe, where we surprized a Watch of fifteen Spanish Soldiers, who were set upon the side of a cu∣rious River; the Entertainment we gave them, forced them to own unto us that they were to guard the River, which they called Elmeralda, because of the many Rocks, or great pieces of Emeralds which their Country-men take up there, and that we might in the space of Eight Hours go very easily from the Mouth of it in our Canoes, to surprize the Town of Quitto, but not so by Land, be∣cause then we must fetch a Compass of Fourscore Leagues through a Country full of Inhabitants, who would not fail to oppose us; and for these Reasons it was that they endeavoured all they could to keep from Strangers the Knowledge of these Advantages: This Town of Quitto is well Peopled, and was formerly the Capital of the Kingdom that bears its Name, but now it depends upon the Government of the Vice-Roy of ••ima.

On the 17th. we got ready and sailed away for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 del Gallo, which stands at the Mouth of the little Bay of Barbacoa, an hundred Leagues to Leeward of Queaquilla. On the 19th. we discov••••ed by break of Day, a Ship, whom we chased, and towards Ten in the Forenoon took her; she was a Bark come from Panama ••o go and buy Negroes, which the English in Iamaica 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them by the way of Puerto Bello, and which they were going to Trade with at Paitas; they get very con∣siderably by these Blacks, for the English sell them to the Spaniards for four and five hundred Pieces of Eight, a Man and are worth three and four hundred with them. We Anchor'd on the 20th. at the Isle of Gallapo, where we examined the Prisoners we had taken in the said Bark, who told us, that the Galley of Panama was gone into the Bay of Mapallo in quest of the French Men that were gone ashoar upon those Islands, which I have already said, are there, and that in her return she was to carry the President of Guatimala and his Wife to Panama.

On the 25th. we weigh'd and sailed for the Isle of C••cas, which stands North and South of Realeg••o, an hundred Leagues distance: We had a South-west Wind, and sailed West, North-west: On the 30th. we discover∣ed Land, we pinch'd upon the Wind, that we might know what place it was; we found towards Evening, 'twas the Isle of Malpalla that stands forty Leagues Southwards of that of St. Iohn's, and from thence we sailed to the Bay of Mapalla instead of going to the Isle of Cocas, from whence the Wind blew, and consequent∣ly was contrary to us.

From this day forward to the 11th. of Iuly we had the same Southwest Wind, which allay'd not but when it blew from the East and South: On the 13th we took our Latitude, and found we were thirty Leagues out at Sea from Realeg••o, and steared North to get to Land: On the 16th. at Noon we discovered the Mountains, and put into the Cape for fear of being discovered: On the ••7th. we sent two of our Canoes to endeavour to take some one Prisoner, that so we might know how things were before we brought our Ships into the Bay.

In the Evening our Canoes having discovered what Coast it was, returned, and told it was St. Michael's Bay, whether the Currents had driven us in making the Cape, and which we took for that of Mapalla, whither we

would have gone, and which stands fourteen Leagues to Windward of the former, which might the more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have been mistak••n from the Sea, in that the Mountain•••• of these two Bay•••• are very like one another. We lay by to Windward of i•• in the Night, and on the 18th. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out our Canoes, and continuing at the Cape till the 20•••• we made use of them to go and joyn our Friends at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Islands: As we entered in on the 23d. we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 taken with a breeze of Wind that separated us from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 another, and of five Sail, whereof our Fleet consisted, we had no more than two of the least and weakest of our Ships left together, but we did not lose sight of the other three, tho' they were got very far to Leeward, and overtaken with a Calm. In the mean time we Ancho••ed at the Isle of Tigers, which is the nearest to the Mouth of it.

On the 24th. about Eight in the Morning we disco∣vered three Sail of Ships that doubled the Point of Harina, which is to Windward of that Bay, and Ten Leagues to Leeward of Realeguo; we presently fired a Paterero to call in our Canoes who were ashoar to take in Water▪ As soon as they were come on Board, we made ready and bore up to those Ships with a full Wind, though we had then but very little of it.

Those three Vessels, which were a Galley and two Pirogues,* 1.7 bore also towards us, though they saw us 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but as soon as we were got out and discovered by them, they doubled the Cape upon us with their Sails and Oa••••▪ and the two Pirogues that sailed better than the Galley, got behind us, and fired fifteen Cannon-shot upon us▪ but as our Arms could reach them, these Pirogues were forced to fall a Stern, and to wait for their Galley: When she had joyned them, they held a Council, and then put out to Attack us, our Ships not being able to give us any Relief, put to the Cape to wait for us; we fought them all along till we had rejoyned our Vessels, which we did about two in the Afternoon, when the Spaniards left us, to go bury their Dead upon the Island where we had been to take in Water when we first discovered them; they did us some Damage in our main Mast and Rigging, and wounded few of our Men: Towards Evening a Wind arose from the Sea, and we sailed in quest of them, but they kept to the Shoar.

On the 25th. we passed round the Island in search for our Canoes, which the Enemy's Galley sought for also, rightly imagining they were ashoar, as not having seen 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with us during the Action: About two in the A••∣••••noon they discovered us, and coming out from under their Covert, gave us the Signal, which we on our part answered; they had hid themselves there for four Hours, expecting our coming, and had a full sight of the En∣gagement, but could not possibly any more than the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of our Ships, come in to our Assistance. The Spani∣••••ds who saw us take them with us, durst not hinder it, though they were at Anchor very near them, then we attempted with one of our Ships to Board the Enemy's Galley, but she saved her self upon the Flats, where our Ships could not come near her. On the 26th. we An∣chored at an Island in the Bay, where we put two of our Vessels to Careen, while the other three guarded them. On the 28th. we saw a Canoe under white Colours, crossing from the main Land to the Islands, where one of ours met and took her: It was a Spanish Captain, who believing us to be his own People, came to congratulate the Commander upon the Victory, which he from the Shoar thought they had got over us. We put him upon the Wrack, to know whether he came not by some wile or other to draw us into a Snare laid for us by the Galley, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Greek Captain had formerly done; But he solemn∣ly protested it was not so, and informed us, that there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Pirogue with thirty Men in the same Bay where we were, who were gone ashoar some time since, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fought in the rase of Savannas against six hundred Spaniards, whose Captain, called don Albarado, who was accounted the bravest and most valiant Man in the Province, they had killed, and that when we had met with their Galley and two Pirogues, there had Eight ••••ndred Armed Men come, not with a design to look after us, but to fight those thirty French Men, who could not be conquered by his six hundred Country-men; in admirable instance of the Valour of the Spaniards in those 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

The Day of Mapalla is a very curious place, and full of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great Ilands,* 1.8 not inferiour in Beauty to those of 〈◊〉〈◊〉; they were formerly Inhabited, and there are still 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Burroughs there which the People have for∣saken, by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Descents of the Free-booters:

As for Anchorage, it's very good here, but no good shel∣ter to be found in this place from any corner of the Wind, great Blasts whereof come over those great Moun∣tains that are at the bottom of it, so that there are very few Cables that are proof against them.

On the 6th. of August,* 1.9 one of our Men, who was Hunting upon the Island where we were Careening, found two Men who had been there for the space of Eight Days to observe our Motions, and who taking us to be Spaniards, durst not come near us: They were two French Men belonging to the Pirogue of which the fore∣mentioned Officer spoke to us, and who had defended themselves so valiantly against the six hundred Spani∣ards; we found them to be of the number of Fourscore and five, who had separated themselves under Captain Grogniet, to go to Callinfornia; they presently gave No∣tice to the other Eight and twenty, who came and joyn∣ed us, and of whom we learnt that they had saved themselves upon this Island, after they had been chased a whole Night by the Spanish Galley, that did not sail so well as their Pirogue. They told us also they had gone down a matter of forty Leagues to Windward of Acapul∣to, without being able any more than once to go ashoar, and that then they ran a great risque, so boisterous is the Sea in those Parts, wherewith they were so discouraged, that they had forsaken fifty five of their Companions, in order to come and find us out, and left them to con∣tinue their Course for Callinfornia.

Having made an end of our Careening, on the 10th. we made every thing ready for our Departure, after we had given those thirty Men room in our Ships: We sailed from the Coast of Acapulto with a design to find out the other fifty five Men spoken of, who were to make a De∣scent there, and to rid them from a miserable state where∣unto, in all appearance, they had gone to plunge them∣selves, without any hopes of Retrieve, being too small a Company to find out Provisions (whereof they stood in great need) in the best Peopl'd Country upon the Con∣tinent, where also it could not be believed they should arrive, having but a little sorry Bark under them, that could not carry them far without splitting in two.

We had at our Departure an Easterly breeze, where∣with we were favoured till we came to the height of Sansonnat; from the Fifteenth to the One and twentieth

we were be calmed all along in the Day-time, and the Winds were so high in the Nights, that we could not car∣ry our Sails; on the 22d. we had a pretty good Gale from the South-East; and on the 27th. we drew near Land, to know where we were: We found our selves to Wind∣ward of the Bay of Tecoantepequa, and put out our Canoes to go in thither, while at the same time we ap∣pointed our Ships to Rendezvouz in the Port of Vatulco, which is twenty Leagues to Leeward: We came very near Land in the Evening, but the Sea runs so high along that Coast, that it was impossible to go ashoar.

On the 29th, we found an Embarking-place, where there was a very strong Entrenchment guarded by a con∣siderable number of Spaniards, and supposing it would cost us dear to go ashoar in that place, we sailed two Leagues to Leeward, where the Sea was somewhat more paci••ick, but found here also about three hundred Men upon an Eminence waiting for us: We detached fifty of ours to go and meet them, but the Spaniards after ha∣ving made a foolish Discharge fled; However, we took two of their Number, and asked them, whither that way led, upon which we were; they told us it would bring us to the Town of Tecoantepequa, according to whose Name that Bay was called, and that we had but four Leagues to it: We lay next Night upon the Road, under the Canopy of Heaven, according to our usual Custom; next day, which was the thirtieth, we resolved to go to the said Town, and directed our Course that way, in such a manner, that about two in the Af∣ternoon we had a sight of the place from an Ascent, which is about half a League off.

As it is encompassed and beset every way with Eight Suburbs,* 1.10 it seemed to be so large, that we were a long time deliberating with our selves whether so small a num∣ber as we were ought to go thither, as being no more than an hundred and fourscore Men, whereas there was three thousand of the Enemy in the place: In the mean time the extream necessity we were reduced to for want of Provisions, pressed us to advance, and would not let us deliberate long upon the Danger that lay before us, so that all our Apprehensions being reduced to the fear we had of starving to Death, we pursued our March to go and confront our Enemies.

When we had marched about half an hour, we found our selves near the Town, and upon the brink of a great and very rapid River, which separates it from four of the Suburbs that adjoyn to it; this River we crost over, be∣ing up in the Water to the middle, in spight of the Spaniards who were intrenched on the other side, to dispute the Passage with us, which they were forced to leave open for us, after a good hours sharp Dispute: As soon as we were Masters of the Intrenchment, we entered the Town, where after we had fought hand in hand with the Enemy, like Men enraged with Hunger, we became Masters of the place of Arms about four in the Afternoon: But our Work was not yet done, for the Enemy having again entrenched themselves in a very fine Abbey, built in the manner of a Platform that commanded the Town; we went to the number of Fourscore Men to dislodge them, which was so readily executed, that having chased them thence, we made our Court of Guard of it, and then every one endea∣vour'd to satisfie that Hunger wherewith we were ex∣treamly pinched.

When we were got into this Town,* 1.11 we found it yet much more spacious and larger than it appeared to be unto us, from the forementioned Ascent; its Houses are well built, the Streets very strait, and the Churches exceeding stately and Ornamental: The Abbey of St. Francis, from whence we drove the Enemy, appear'd more like unto a Fort than a Religious Convent, and it was built to serve for that use in case of need.

On the 31st. we sent to require them to Ransom their Town, or else we would burn it; we had no Answer return'd, which made us conjecture they had a mind to come and Attack us, for which they had so much the more Advantage, in that the River which began from the time that we passed it, to overflow, was about to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 us in; wherefore we decamped and lay in one of the Suburbs that stands on the other side, where we con∣tinued to the third of September; when we departed to return to our Canoes, without reaping any Advantage by the taking of this Town: We reimbarked on the fifth, and went to joyn our Ships in the Port of Vatulco, where we arrived the Ninth: On the 15th. we went off again in our Canoes without a Guide, and having landed, marched ten or a dozen Leagues up the Country, where

we took divers Villages, and in one of them the old Governour of Merida with his Family, who was retired to this place, and who promised us a quantity of Pro∣vision for his Ransom, in expectation whereof we car∣ried him on Shipboard, where we arrived on the 25th. The same day about Ten in the Morning we discovered a Ship, and put out with our Canoes to know what she was; she bare to the Cape, and put up Spanish Colours, but as the Sea ran very high, and that our Canoe could not well weather it, we returned again into Port. Now this Ship believed 'twas her Colours that hindred us to come on Board her, wherefore she took the same down, and put up a white Flag in the room of them; we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the same time fitted up our Galley to go and hale her, but she could never get out of the Port, whereupon she failed away, and as our Ships were much out of order, we could not follow her. She was, undoubtedly, a Fri∣ga••e built in the North-Sea, but it was impossible for us to know what Nation she belonged to.

The Sea being calm on the 26th. we went with our Galley about twenty Leagues to Windward of Acapulto, to see if the abovementioned Ship were not put in to Port, we judging by her Rigging she wanted to put in some-where to Land; But we returned without any News of her: We waited till the fourth of November for the Ran∣som of the Governour, which we did not overmuch press for, as finding in this Port and Parts adjacent, plenty of Victuals, particularly of Tortoises, which we had there in great Numbers, and Hatto's, that are to be met with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and down frequently here, furnished us with all o∣ther Necessaries; besides that we had here a place of Security from the Insults of the Spaniards.

It's impossible to go ashoar from Sansonat to Acapulto, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it be in the Ports, or Bays; and though that which they call the Salt-Pits be difficult of Access, be∣cause of the smallness of it, and that the Sea there runs very high, yet they esteem it a Bay for all that: It's the next you meet with after Sansonnat, and stands twenty Leagues to Windward of that of Tecoantepequa, which the Spaniards set down also for a Bay in their Charts, tho, it be so far from being deep, that it can scarce be distin∣guish'd from the rest of the Coast: There is a Lake at the bottom of this last place bearing the same Name, with which it had formerly a Communication, but whose

Mouth at present is stopped up by a Bank of Sand which the Waves have drove thither: This Lake hems in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Islands that are not far distant from one another, and all of them very near the Mouth thereof: Some years since the Hourqua of Acapulco that went to the East-Indies, in its return entered into this Lake through the Bay, and we understood that Some Spaniards had entered by the other end of it into the River of Vastaqua, that dis∣charges it self into a Bay of New Spain, and conse∣quently to the North-Sea.

When this Hourqua returns from the Phillipine Islands,* 1.12 where the Spaniards drive a great Traffick, 'tis one of the richest Vessels that sails upon the Ocean; it's of a prodigious bigness, and built so strong, that she is afraid of nothing but Land and Fire, she is provided with forty of pieces Cannons, whereof one half is of no use to her, for her Lading makes her sink so deep in the Water, that her Battery between the two Decks is rendred useless: She goes out yearly from the Port of Acapulco, convoy'd with a Patach of Twenty-eight Guns, and laden with several sorts of Merchandizes that she carries to the In∣habitants of those Islands, who by way of barter for the same, give a great deal of those curious China, and Ia∣pan-ware we see in Europe, and what is yet more valu∣able, Pearls, Gold-Dust, and precious Stones.

This Ship had great Advantage in making this Voy∣age, that is, that in making choice of a proper Season, she goes, and returns in a Twelve-Months time, com∣prehending the while they stay in that Country, without being put to the trouble of veering about, and sifting the Sails: & 'tis beyo••d dispute, that she cannot be met with by any that wait for her, before the Port of Acapulco at a certain season of the year, which I shall take no no∣tice of here, for Reason I have spoken of in the begin∣ning of this Journal.

I shall not forget also to remark in this place, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will be so much the more easie to take her, in that when she returns from those parts with the Patach, all her Crew are in so sickly, and dying a Condition, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 four hundred Men that make up the Compliment, the•••• is not one fourth of them in a Condition to defend it and this Distemper which they call Scorbut, never 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them in their return from the Phillipines, insomuch, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Ship which goes from the North-Sea with a design 〈◊〉〈◊〉

look after this Hourqua, might in less than Eighteen Months time, bating the Perils and Accidents she might be liable to at Sea, return with immense Riches.

About twenty Leagues to Leeward of the Bay of Te∣coantepequa stands the Port of Vatulco,* 1.13 so small, that it cannot contain above ten or a dozen Ships, but yet they must have an Anchor fore and aft, for if they had no more than an Anchor out at the Forecastle, they would fall foul upon one another, in endeavouring to avoid it upon the change of Wind or Tyde.

At the entrance into the Port, which is very narrow, there is a Whirlpool to Leeward, which the Spaniards call Bofadera, whereinto the Water enters in so violent a man∣ner, that it makes a noise that may be heard above four Leagues off.

Four Leagues lower there is another Port where you cannot Anchor with safety, because of the Rocks, where∣of the bottom of it is full: In the passage to it stands a great Rock, called the Fourillon, which is all over as well as continually so covered with those sports of Birds which we had before seen in the River of Villia, that there remains nothing of the Surface of it to be seen; and a little further is an Island, called Sacrifice.

About Eight Leagues lower, there are three small Ports of a Leagues distance one from another, whereof that called the Angels is the best; it's no difficult matter to find the passage to it, provided you ••ail along the Shoar, but it's impossible to perceive it from the Main; there is a Rock stands at the Mouth of it that has an hole therein resembling a large Gate: From this Port to Acapulco, which is sixty Leagues off, we have no Har∣bour.

The Country which extends it self from the Bay of Salt-pits as far as Acapulco, is that upon the South-Sea that is best Peopled, and where there are moreover seve∣ral famous and very rich Towns; more Gold Mines are also found there than in Peru, though the Metal is not so fine; and those of Tinsigal alone, are more valued by the Spaniards than the Mines of Potosi, and therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not without reason that this Western Coast is called by the Name of Costa-Rica, though in our Geographi∣cal Maps they bestow this Name only upon a small part of this vast Tract of Land.

On the 7th.* 1.14 we went to make a Descent upon a little Town, called Muemeluna, which is Eight Leagues to Windward of Vatulco, and Six up the Country, about four Leagues from the Sea side, and two from the Town; we found a very strong Entrenchment made up∣on a Rock that stands upon the River, but the Spaniards therein made no great Resistance, no more than in the Town where we compleated our Victualling: The Pri∣soners we took, told us, that about a Month before they had seen a Frigate pass by, that sent a small Canoe with seven or eight Men in it to their Embarking-place, where they found some Spaniards, who made them Embark a∣gain with so much Precipitation, that one of their Men was drowned, and whom, indeed, we found dead upon the Shoar, whither the Sea had thrown him, with his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lying some paces from him, which should not have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so long there, no more than the dead Carcass, if the Spaniards had espied it: For they believe themselves re∣venged, when they cut into pieces, or burn the dead Body of an Enemy; and we were assured, that when we buried any of our Men in their Country, they dig them up when we were gone, if they knew the place, for to exercise their Cruelty upon those Carcasses, which when alive they could not make us feel.

We returned on the 16th. aboard our Ships, and on the 20th. being not able all along the Coast to hear any News of the Five and Fifty Men we were in quest of we weigh'd Anchor, and directed our Course for the Bay of Mapalla, where we were minded to agree upon the place by which we were to repass to the North-Sea: On the 21st. we had a North-wind that carried us to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Latitude where the West Winds Reign, and this continued to the 23d. when we were becalmed: On the first of December at Night we had a Storm which sepa∣rated us one from another, and thus we continued alone▪ and without any Water, for all our Casks were run out, whereby we were reduced to the greatest Extremeity •• though we were but two Leagues from the Shoar: But 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was impossible for us to go ashoar, for it's a Bank of Sand that reaches from the Bar of St. Mark as far a•• Sansonnat, for the space of about Fourscore Leagues where the Sea breaks with great violence: Believing our∣selves on the Sixth to be to Windward of this Bank, Arm••d our Pirogue to go near the Shoar, and look ou••

for a place where the Sea was Calmer; next day one of our Men being more in patient than the rest, and egged on with Drought that tormented him four days, swam to Land, but thinking to return in the same manner, he was drowned without our being able to succour him, notwithstanding all the cry he made unto us to save him: On the 9th. in the beginning of the Night we thought to have seen a little Bay, before which we Anchored, that we might know in the Morning what it was, during which time we heard the firing of about six hundred Mosquets on the Land. As soon as Day••light appeared, on the 10th. we saw that what we took for a Bay was a kind of a Covert that stands Fifteen••Leagues to Lee∣ward of Sansonnat, where we could see no likelihood of entring in. In the mean time we saw a very pretty Ship upon the Stocks in that place, which made us conclude there must of necessity be a Passage for her to come out; we Anchored pretty near the Rock, to wait for a Tyde, during which time, a Wind blew from the Sea, and we adventur'd with the help of our Sails and Oars to get in, where we were saluted with three Waves that half filled our Pirogue in the very sight of the Spani∣ards, who watched our entring in.

We put up to one side of the said Covert, and fired for the space of half an hour upon their Magazines, built by the side thereof, without their returning us one single shot; But at last we being tormented with vio∣lent Drought, which we were desirous to allay what ever it cost us, we hois'd up our Sail, and run up our Pirogue before them, who believing we were going to their Town, that was but half a League off, they went off. But as we were no more than two and twenty Men, instead of running after them, we improved their Flight, in filling our Casks with Water, and to furnish our selves with what Provision we found in the Magazines, and some of that Ship's Rigging which were more ne∣cessary for ours; but not daring all at once to lade our Pirogue with them, for fear of sinking in her Passage out; we spent the Night on the other side of those Ma∣gazines, that we might be under Covert from the Sur∣prizes of our Enemies, for we computed very well by the six hundred Musquet shot we had heard, that there was a great many Armed Men in that place.

On the 11th. we departed from under the Covert, to go and ••oyn our Ship, which we found on the 12th. in the Morning lying at Anchor Eight Leagues to Wind∣word of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, where she had found the Sea some∣what more favourable: We spent that day to take in Water, and sent twenty Men to take a Village that was about half a League from the Sea-side, from whence we returned the sanie day with some Refreshments, that put 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into our Ship's Crew, now much weakned with the Thirst they endur'd, as well as we who were in the Pirogue, as also with Hunger, which failed not to wast us away, though we had Victuals to satisfie the same; but we durst not eat for fear of being made dry: We weigh••d Anchor in the Evening with a West Wind, and on the Fifteenth arrived in the Bay of Mapalla,* 1.15 where we found the rest of our Vessels at Anchor near one of those Islands that lye within it.

I am to observe, that as long as we were going up this Coast, that continually in the Night-time there blew Winds from the Land,* 1.16 which were very favourable to Sailors, provided they were not far out at Sea, for Ten Leagues off there could be but very little of it felt, and there are certain Seasons when it blows so violently, that they are obliged to lower their Sails, and even to furle: On the 17th.* 1.17 we had a Consultation together a∣bout what Passage, according to the Prisoner's Rela∣tions, was less dangerous for us, to return to the North-Sea over Land; it was thought our best way was by Se∣govid, seeing we had no more than sixty Leagues to go before we came to the head of a River, upon which they told us, we might go down to the North-Sea whereunto it discharged it self; and that in the way we were to take by Land, we could have no more than five or six thousand Men to deal with, and that the way was very good to carry our wounded and sick Men along with us: But we were not fully convinced of the sin∣cerity of this Advice, we sent two of our Canoes to Shear to take some other Prisoners, that so we might see whether they should confirm, or contradict this Infor∣mation, and thereby be the more fully instructed con∣cerning those things that might be an Obstruction to our Passage, and others that might facilitate the same.

We went a Shoar on the 18th. to the number of Se∣venty Men, and marched all day long without meeting

one Soul, as we did also the next day till Noon, without any more discovery than in the preceding one, where∣with we were so fatigu'd, that we resolved to return back again; And here we may add, that the greatest part of our Men were not overcontent to repass by Land to the North-Sea, because of the five or six thousand Men wherewith we were threaten'd, wherefore we left those that were minded, to return to their Canoes, and Eighteen of us, who found our selves less weary than the rest, staid behind: We followed a great Road which we met with soon after they had left us, and had not walked above an hour, when we took three Horse-men, whom, when we had asked where we were, they told us, that about a quarter of a League off there was a little Town, called Chiloteca, wherein there were four hundred white Men, besides Negroes, Mulaters, and Indians, and assured us, we had not been yet discovered: We had a mind to run after our Men, to acquaint them with this Account,* 1.18 and engage them to go back with us to the Town; but the Apprehensions we were under of being discovered, and thereby giving the Inhabitants time to put themselves into a posture of Defence, hin∣dred us to do so, and made us undertake perhaps the boldest, most resolute, and if you will, the rashest Action that could be thought of; which was, that being no more of us than Eighteen Men, as I have said before, we should adventurously enter that Town, where we surpriz'd and frighten'd the Spaniards to that Degree, that we took the Tenient and other Officers, to the num∣ber in all of fifty Persons, including the Women, Pri∣soners: They were seized with such a pannick fear, sup∣posing us to be far more numerous than we were, that all the rest would doubtless have been taken and bound by us, had it not been for their Horses, which are always at hand, which they mounted to ride away upon. And so it was as we would have it, for if they had had the Courage to stay behind, they might have cut out Work for us, whereof we had already but too much, which was to watch our Prisoners.

We ask'd the Tenient where the Galley of Panama was,* 1.19 who made Answer, she lay at Anchor in the Embarking-place of Carthage, which is Caldaira, where she waited for us, as hoping we would pass that way to go to the Nort-Sea, and that the King of Spain's Ship the St. Lorenzo

was in the Port of Realeg••o, mounted with thirty pieces of Cannon, and four hundred Men on Board, to hinder us to come near that place which they began to settle in again: As we had a desire to lye in th•••• little Town where we now were; we farther ask'd him what number of Men we should have occasion for to guard us, if we should stay there, he told us, there would be six hundred Men next day there, but that they had no more Fire-Arms than for two hundred. The Spa∣niards, who, during this time, were a little recover'd of their Astonishment, being got together, enter'd in∣to the Town again, and after we have several times con∣flicted with them, we entrenched our selves in the Church, where we had put our Prisoners, who seeing us go in with Precipitation, believed their People pur∣su'd us close, and were just upon falling on us; which made them so bold, as to run to the Swords, and other Arms we had got together, wherewith they wounded us one Man. We presently got to the Doors, and from thence fired upon them so long, till there were no more than four Men and their Wives left alive of them: At the same time we mounted the Horses which we had taken, and with our four Prisoners of each Sex, went away with as little noise as we could, which the other Spaniards observing, they sent one to treat with us, but we refused, and fired upon him, for fear, if he came too near us, he should come to know how few we went. Next day, which was the 20th. we rejoyned our other People, who had rested themselves at an Hatto they had met with in their return, and who gave us Assistance. a∣gainst six hundred of those Spaniards who followed in the Rear of us; Then we gave the Women Prisone•• their liberty: On the 21st. we went on Board our Ca∣noes, and next day reach••d our Ships, where we interr••••gated our four new Prisoners concerning the Passage w•• had projected; but they laid so many Difficulties be∣fore us, that we grew almost out of conceit with it: But yet, when we considered, we must either make our way through, or end our days miserably in an horrible want of all convenient Necessaries,* 1.20 and in an Enem•••• Country where we grew weaker every day by the loss 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our Men, we resolved to hazzard all to get out of it▪ insomuch, that being no longer daunted at the dangers we were to run in this Passage, and being perswaded it

would be better for us to die with our Swords in our Hands, than to pine away with Hunger; We made all things ready for this Journey, and to the end we might cut off from the most Timerous, any desires they might have to return to their Ships, if their Minds should al∣ter, in reference to their going along with us, we ran our Vessels ashoar, except our Galley and Pirogues, which we reserved to carry us off the Island where we were to the Continent.

On the 25th. we formed four Companies consisting of seventy Men each, making altogether two hundred and fourscore; and as for the forlorn Hope, we agreed for to draw out ten Men out of each, and to relieve them every Morning: We also made a Contract among our selves, that those who should be lamed in the En∣counters we might have with the Enemy in our way, should have the same Recompence as formerly, that is, •• thousand pieces of Eight a Man, that the Horses we should take, should be divided between the Companies for the ease of all our Men, and for those that were incom∣moded above any of the rest: That those that stragled and should be lamed, should have no Recompence made them, and that Violence, Cowardice, and Drunkenness should also be punish'd as formerly.

Before I leave these Seas,* 1.21 I'll spare the Reader the trouble of asking how we came to endure so much Hunger, Mi∣series, and Fatigues in these parts, since I have said upon several occasions, that the Country is so good and plea∣sant as well as fruitful in the Production of all tings necessary for the support and confort of human Life: As to this, there needs no more than observing that since our separation from the English at the Isle of St. Iohn, we were all along so illy accommodated with Shipping, that we were forced to keep continually to the Coast, and by consequence in sight of the Spaniards, who discove∣ring even the least Motions we made, had almost always time to remove all their Effects out of the way, be∣fore we made our Descent, and left us nothing but what they could not carry away, which was many times but very inconsiderable, whereas, had we had but one good Ship to put out far to Sea, they could not have discove∣red us, and we should have surprized them continually in our Descents, where we could have wanted nothing, not only that was necessary, but also pleasurable, be∣sides the Wealth we must have carried away in a short time.

This want of Shipping, under which we laboured, we so advantagious to our Enemies, and the consequence thereof they knew so well, that the People of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sent no more Ships to the Western Coast where we were for fear some of them might fall into our Hands and Traded with one another no otherwise than by Land.

The same Reason also hindred us to go up to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Coast of Peru, where we could not have failed of ha∣ving Ships, seeing they sailed up and down there every day, and drove a great Trade with one another, as knowing we were not so near unto their Country; So that it is easie from what I have remarked to conjecture, that for want of these helps which were of so much im∣portance to us in these Seas; we must also very often stand in need of all those things which we could not but with the greatest difficulty have without them, wherefore to make any thing of it in these Climates, and to raise a considerable Fortune, without much danger and suffe∣rings; there needs no more than to be provided with a good Ship, and for the better conveniency, Victualled for some time, that so there may be no necessity of go∣ing ashoar to seek it.

On the 27th. we discovered a Ship passing along be∣tween the Islands, which made us send our Galley and Pirogue to see what she was 〈…〉〈…〉, but as soon as we came 〈…〉〈…〉 ••hot of her, she took down the white Flag, and put out Spanish Colour••, and withal, gave us ten or a dozen Guns; we returned to the Shoar to give our People notice of it; not doubting, but if that Ship came to an Anchor in the same place, she would destroy our Pirogues: We sent them with our Baggage and Prisoners up to the Flats that are behind the Island where we were.

This Vessel about Noon came in with the Tyde, and Anchored within half a Cannon-shot of ours that were run ashoar, under the Covert of which we fought against them with two pieces of Cannon till it was night, but as the Enemy had no other aim then to ruin our Ships, they put them this first day out of a condition to sail, (which was what our selves had a mind to) and then put farther off form the Shoar.

On the 28th. in the Morning they drew nearer again, and began to fight us, which made us shelter our selves

behind the Points of the Rocks that run out into the Sea, from whence our Arms carried aboard them; upon this they were forced to send their shallop under the favour of their Cannon, to take away an Anchor that was nearer to Shoar than their Ship, but being prevented therein, they cut off the Cable that held it, and put off again; At last, concluding with our selves that this Ship would not leave us so hastily, we sent an hundred Men in the Evening to the Continent before us, that they might en∣deavour to take some Horses, on which we might lay our disabled Men, with orders afterwards to return and wait for us upon the Sea-side in the same place where they went ashoar, (which was a kind of a Port we had as∣signed them) in case they had returned before our Ar∣rival there. And for fear the Spanish Ship should suspect, from the running of ours a ground, the design we had to go to the North-Sea, and that the Men on Board her would send to the Continent to give the People notice to put themselves in a readiness to hinder us; we coun∣terfeited all night long the caulking of our Ships, that so we might fully possess them with a belief, that we were careening them, which wrought so effectually up∣on them, that in the Morning they failed not to come up to destroy with their Cannon, the Work they fancied we had been doing during the night.

On the 29th. their Ship took Fire, which made them put farther off,* 1.22 where they extinguish'd it: On the 30th. we made use of a new Stratagem to amuse our Enemies, and take away all manner of suspition from them, that we designed to be gone, which was to charge our Guns, Granadoes, and four pieces of Cannon, where∣unto we tied lighted Matches of different lengths, that so having their effect in our Absence one after another, the Spanish Ship's Crew might still believe we were up∣on the Island, from whence we parted in the Twilight, as secretly as ever we could, with all our Prisoners, whom we reserved for no other use than to carry our Chirurge∣on's Medicines, Carpenter's Tools, and the wounded Men we might have in this Passage.

On the Ist. of Ianuary,* 1.23 in the year 1688, we arrived on the Continent, and on the Evening of the same day, the Party which we had sent before to look for Horses, came thither likewise: They had taken Sixty Eight with several Prisoners, who, without any Violence offered

them, told us, they did not think it advisable we should Travel through Segovia, because the Spaniards had In∣telligence we had made choice of that Province to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 through: But as we had already resolved upon the Mat∣ter, and that our Ships could be of no longer use unto us all that they could say to the contrary, did not hinder us to persevere therein. All our People at the same time packed up every Man his Charge, and put their Silver into Bags, which they thought they could carry with their Ammunition: Those who had too much of the former, gave it to those who had lost theirs at Play, for to carry, conditioning with them, that they should re∣turn the one half back to the Owner, in case it should please God to bring them safe to the North-Sea.

As for my self,* 1.24 I must say, I was none of the worst provided, and though my Charge was lighter than others, yet it was not for all that less considerable for the value, seeing I had converted thirty thousand pieces of Eight into Gold, Pearls, and precious Stones. But as the best part of this was the Product of Luck I had at Pl••••▪ some of those who had been losers as well in playing a∣gainst me as others, being much discontented at the•• Losses, plotted together to the number of Seventeen or Eighteen, to murder those that were the Richest a∣mongst us. I was so happy as to be timely advertised of it by some Friends, which did not a little disquiet my Mind, for it was a very difficult Task, for a Man, during so long a Journey, to be able to secure himself from be∣ing surprized by those who were continually in the same Company, and with whom he must eat, drink, and sleep, and who could cut off whom they pleased of them, in the Conflicts they might have with the Spani∣ards, by shooting us during the Hurry, which yet they executed in another manner, as may be seen in d••e place: The apprehensions I had of this Conspiracy did not hinder me to retain so much Judgment and presen••e of Mind, as to fall presently upon such Methods as I thought most rational and secure for the preservation of my Life, and which effectually saved it, which was to deposite some of what I possest in the hands of dive•• persons, and that in the presence of all the rest, upon condition they should restore unto me such a proportion as I agreed with them for, when we were come upon the Coast of Domingo. By this means I rid my self of

the care I should continually have had of keeping upon my Guard, without exposing them much neither, who carried my Effects, the which being divided diversly, and to different Persons, they had to do with too many People to compass their ends. It's true, I paid dear for this Precaution; but what will not a Man do to save his Life?

Notes

• * 1.1

  la Puna their best, Winter Quar∣ters.
• * 1.2

  An Ad∣venture of the Au∣thor's, with a Spanish Woman.
• * 1.3

  They joyn the Eng∣lish, and fight the Spanish Arma∣dilla's.
• * 1.4

  They divided their Boo∣ty.
• * 1.5

  Captain David sails for the North Sea.
• * 1.6

  An A∣count of Peru.
• * 1.7

  The Free-booter's Fight with some Spanish Vessels.
• * 1.8

  A De∣scription of the Bay of Mapal∣la.
• * 1.9

  Other Ad∣ventures.
• * 1.10

  Their Ad∣ventures i•• their march to Tecoan∣tepequa, which they take.
• * 1.11

  A De∣scription of Teco∣antepe∣qua.
• * 1.12

  An Ac∣count of the Hour∣qua.
• * 1.13

  A De∣scription of the Port of Vatul∣co.
• * 1.14

  The Free-booters take the Town of Mueme∣luna.
• * 1.15

  They ar∣rive at Mapalla.
• * 1.16

  Some ac∣count of the Winds in these parts.
• * 1.17

  Consulta∣tion about returning to the North-Sea.
• * 1.18

  A handful of Free-booters take Chi∣loteca,
• * 1.19

  Being at∣tackt by the Span∣iards, they kill their Prisoners
• * 1.20

  They re∣solve to re∣turn to the North Sea by Land.
• * 1.21

  The rea∣son of their Necessi∣ties.
• * 1.22

  A notable amuse∣ment to facilitate their ••∣cape.
• * 1.23

  They Provide for their Iourney.
• * 1.24

  The Au∣thor's De∣vice to save his Treasure.