_Buccaneers under =John Cook= arrive at =Juan Fernandez=.
Account of =William=, a Mosquito Indian, who had lived there
three years. They sail to the =Galapagos Islands=; thence to
the Coast of =New Spain=. =John Cook= dies. =Edward Davis=
chosen Commander._
[Sidenote: 1684. March 19th.] Continuing their course for _Juan
Fernandez_, on the 19th in the morning, a strange ship was seen to the
Southward, standing after them under all her sail. The Buccaneers were in
hopes she would prove to be a Spaniard, and brought to, to wait her coming
up. The people on board the strange vessel entertained similar
expectations, for they also were English, and were come to the _South Sea_
to pick up what they could. This ship was named the Nicholas; her
Commander John Eaton; she fitted out in the River _Thames_ under pretence
of a trading, but in reality with the intention of making a piratical
voyage.
[Sidenote: Joined by the Nicholas of London, John Eaton Commander.] The
two ships soon joined, and on its being found that they had come on the
same errand to the _South Sea_, Cook and Eaton and their men agreed to
keep company together.
It was learnt from Eaton that another English ship, named the Cygnet,
commanded by a Captain Swan, had sailed from _London_ for the _South Sea_;
but fitted out by reputable merchants, and provided with a cargo for a
trading voyage, having a licence from the Duke of York, then Lord High
Admiral of _England_. The Cygnet and the Nicholas had met at the entrance
of the _Strait of Magalhanes_, and they entered the _South Sea_ in
company, but had since been separated by bad weather.
[Sidenote: March 22d.] March the 22d, the Batchelor's Delight and the
Nicholas came in sight of the Island _Juan Fernandez_.
[Sidenote: At Juan Fernandez. William the Mosquito Indian.] The reader may
remember that when the Buccaneers under Watling were at _Juan Fernandez_
in January 1681, the appearance of three Spanish ships made them quit the
Island in great haste, and they left behind a Mosquito Indian named
William, who was in the woods hunting for goats. Several of the Buccaneers
who were then with Watling were now with Cook, and, eager to discover if
any traces could be found which would enable them to conjecture what was
become of their former companion, but with small hope of finding him still
here, as soon as they were near enough for a boat to be sent from the
ship, they hastened to the shore. Dampier was in this first boat, as was
also a Mosquito Indian named Robin; and as they drew near the land, they
had the satisfaction to see William at the sea-side waiting to receive
them. Dampier has given the following affecting account of their meeting:
'Robin, his countryman, was the first who leaped ashore from the boats,
and running to his brother _Moskito_ man, threw himself flat on his face
at his feet, who helping him up and embracing him, fell flat with his face
on the ground at Robin's feet, and was by him taken up also. We stood with
pleasure to behold the surprise, tenderness, and solemnity of this
interview, which was exceedingly affectionate on both sides: and when
their ceremonies were over, we also that stood gazing at them, drew near,
each of us embracing him we had found here, who was overjoyed to see so
many of his old friends, come hither as he thought purposely to fetch him.
He was named Will, as the other was Robin; which names were given them by
the English, for they have no names among themselves, and they take it as
a favour to be named by us, and will complain if we do not appoint them
some name when they are with us.'
William had lived in solitude on _Juan Fernandez_ above three years. The
Spaniards knew of his being on the Island, and Spanish ships had stopped
there, the people belonging to which had made keen search after him; but
he kept himself concealed, and they could never discover his retreat. At
the time Watling sailed from the Island, he had a musket, a knife, a small
horn of powder, and a few shot. 'When his ammunition was expended, he
contrived by notching his knife, to saw the barrel of his gun into small
pieces, wherewith he made harpoons, lances, hooks, and a long knife,
heating the pieces of iron first in the fire, and then hammering them out
as he pleased with stones. This may seem strange to those not acquainted
with the sagacity of the Indians; but it is no more than what the Moskito
men were accustomed to in their own country.' He had worn out the clothes
with which he landed, and was not otherwise clad than with a skin about
his waist. He made fishing lines of the skins of seals cut into thongs.
'He had built himself a hut, half a mile from the sea-shore, which he
lined with goats' skins, and slept on his couch or _barbecu_ of sticks
raised about two feet from the ground, and spread with goats' skins.' He
saw the two ships commanded by Cook and Eaton the day before they
anchored, and from their manoeuvring believing them to be English, he
killed three goats, which he drest with vegetables; thus preparing a treat
for his friends on their landing; and there has seldom been a more fair
and joyful occasion for festivity.
[Sidenote: Stocked with Goats by its Discoverer.] Dampier reckoned two
bays in _Juan Fernandez_ proper for ships to anchor in; 'both at the East
end, and in each there is a rivulet of good fresh water.' He mentions (it
may be supposed on the authority of Spanish information) that this Island
was stocked with goats by Juan Fernandez, its discoverer, who, in a second
voyage to it, landed three or four of these animals, and they quickly
multiplied. Also, that Juan Fernandez had formed a plan of settling here,
if he could have obtained a patent or royal grant of the Island; which was
refused him[37].
The Buccaneers found here a good supply of provisions in goats, wild
vegetables, seals, sea-lions, and fish. Dampier says, 'the seals at _Juan
Fernandez_ are as big as calves, and have a fine thick short fur, the like
I have not taken notice of any where but in these seas. The teeth of the
sea-lion are the bigness of a man's thumb: in Captain Sharp's time, some
of the Buccaneers made dice of them. Both the sea-lion and the seal eat
fish, which I believe is their common food.'
[Sidenote: Coast of Peru.] April the 8th, the Batchelor's Delight and
Nicholas sailed from _Juan Fernandez_ for the American coast, which they
made in latitude 24 deg. S, and sailed Northward, keeping sight of the land,
but at a good distance. [Sidenote: May.] On May the 3d, in latitude 9 deg. 40'
S, they took a Spanish ship laden with timber.
[Sidenote: Appearance of the Andes.] Dampier remarks that 'from the
latitude of 24 deg. S to 17 deg., and from 14 deg. to 10 deg. S, the land within the coast
is of a prodigious height. It lies generally in ridges parallel to the
shore, one within another, each surpassing the other in height, those
inland being the highest. They always appear blue when seen from sea, and
are seldom obscured by clouds or fogs. These mountains far surpass the
_Peak of Teneriffe_, or the land of _Santa Martha_.'
[Sidenote: Islands Lobos de la Mar.] On the 9th, they anchored at the
Islands _Lobos de la Mar_. 'This _Lobos_ consists of two little Islands
each about a mile round, of indifferent height, with a channel between fit
only for boats. Several rocks lie on the North side of the Islands. There
is a small cove, or sandy bay, sheltered from the winds, at the West end
of the Easternmost Island, where ships may careen. There is good riding
between the Easternmost Island and the rocks, in 10, 12, or 14 fathoms;
for the wind is commonly at S, or SSE, and the Easternmost Island lying
East and West, shelters that road. Both the Islands are barren, without
fresh water, tree, shrub, grass, or herb; but sea-fowls, seals, and
sea-lions were here in multitudes[38].'
On a review of their strength, they mustered in the two ships 108 men fit
for service, besides their sick. They remained at the _Lobos de la Mar_
Isles till the 17th, when three vessels coming in sight, they took up
their anchors and gave chace. They captured all the three, which were
laden with provisions, principally flour, and bound for _Panama_. They
learnt from the prisoners that the English ship Cygnet had been at
_Baldivia_, and that the Viceroy on information of strange ships having
entered the _South Sea_, had ordered treasure which had been shipped for
_Panama_ to be re-landed. [Sidenote: They sail to the Galapagos Islands.]
The Buccaneers, finding they were expected on the coast, determined to go
with their prizes first to the _Galapagos Islands_, and afterwards to the
coast of _New Spain_.
They arrived in sight of the _Galapagos_ on the 31st; but were not enough
to the Southward to fetch the Southern Islands, the wind being from SbE,
which Dampier remarks is the common trade-wind in this part of the
_Pacific_. Many instances occur in _South Sea_ navigations which shew the
disadvantage of not keeping well to the South in going to the _Galapagos_.
[Sidenote: Duke of Norfolk's Island.] The two ships anchored near the
North East part of one of the Easternmost Islands, in 16 fathoms, the
bottom white hard sand, a mile distant from the shore.
It was during this visit of the Buccaneers to the _Galapagos_, that the
chart of these Islands which was published with Cowley's voyage was made.
Considering the small opportunity for surveying which was afforded by
their track, it may be reckoned a good chart, and has the merit both of
being the earliest survey known of these Islands, and of having continued
in use to this day; the latest charts we have of the _Galapagos_ being
founded upon this original, and (setting aside the additions) varying
little from it in the general outlines.
Where Cook and Eaton first anchored, appears to be the _Duke of Norfolk's
Island_ of Cowley's chart. They found there sea turtle and land turtle,
but could stop only one night, on account of two of their prizes, which
being deeply laden had fallen too far to leeward to fetch the same
anchorage.
[Sidenote: June. King James's Island.] The day following, they sailed on
to the next Island Westward (marked _King James's Island_ in the chart)
and anchored at its North end, a quarter of a mile distant from the shore,
in 15 fathoms. Dampier observed the latitude of the North part of this
second Island, 0 deg. 28' N, which is considerably more North than it is
placed in Cowley's chart. The riding here was very uncertain, 'the bottom
being so steep that if an anchor starts, it never holds again.'
[Sidenote: Mistake made by the Editor of Dampier's Voyages.] An error has
been committed in the printed Narrative of Dampier, which it may be useful
to notice. It is there said, 'The Island at which we first anchored hath
water on the North end, falling down in a stream from high steep rocks
upon the sandy bay, where it may be taken up.' Concerning so essential an
article to mariners as fresh water, no information can be too minute to
deserve attention. [Sidenote: Concerning Fresh Water at King James's
Island.] In the manuscript Journal, Dampier says of the first Island at
which they anchored, 'we found there the largest land turtle I ever saw;
but the Island is rocky and barren, without wood or water.' At the next
Island at which they anchored, both Dampier and Cowley mention fresh water
being found. Cowley says, 'this Bay I called _Albany Bay_, and another
place _York Road_. Here is excellent sweet water.' Dampier also in the
margin of his written Journal where the second anchorage is mentioned, has
inserted the note following: 'At the North end of the Island we saw water
running down from the rocks.' The editor or corrector of the press has
mistakenly applied this to the first anchorage.
[Sidenote: Herbage on the North end of Albemarle Island.] Cowley, after
assigning names to the different Islands, adds, 'We could find no good
water on any of these places, save on the _Duke of York's_ [_i. e. King
James's_] _Island_. But at the North end of _Albemarle Island_ there were
green leaves of a thick substance which we chewed to quench our thirst:
and there were abundance of fowls in this Island which could not live
without water, though we could not find it[39].'
Animal food was furnished by the _Galapagos Islands_ in profusion, and of
the most delicate kind; of vegetables nothing of use was found except the
mammee, the leaves just noticed and berries. The name _Galapagos_ which
has been assigned to these Islands, signifies Turtle in the Spanish
language, and was given to them on account of the great numbers of those
animals, both of the sea and land kind, found there. Guanoes, an
amphibious animal well known in the _West Indies_, fish, flamingoes, and
turtle-doves so tame that they would alight upon the men's heads, were
all in great abundance; and convenient for preserving meat, salt was
plentiful at the _Galapagos_. Some green snakes were the only other
animals seen there.
[Sidenote: Land Turtle.] The full-grown land turtle were from 150 to 200
_lbs._ in weight. Dampier says, 'so sweet that no pullet can eat more
pleasantly. They are very fat; the oil saved from them was kept in jars,
and used instead of butter to eat with dough-boys or dumplings.'--'We lay
here feeding sometimes on land turtle, sometimes on sea turtle, there
being plenty of either sort; but the land turtle, as they exceed in
sweetness, so do they in numbers: it is incredible to report how numerous
they are.'
[Sidenote: Sea Turtle.] The sea turtle at the _Galapagos_ are of the
larger kind of those called the Green Turtle. Dampier thought their flesh
not so good as the green turtle of the _West Indies_.
Dampier describes the _Galapagos Isles_ to be generally of good height:
'four or five of the Easternmost Islands are rocky, hilly, and barren,
producing neither tree, herb, nor grass; but only a green prickly shrub
that grows 10 or 12 feet high, as big as a man's leg, and is full of sharp
prickles in thick rows from top to bottom, without leaf or fruit. In some
places by the sea side grow bushes of Burton wood (a sort of wood which
grows in the _West Indies_) which is good firing. [Sidenote: Mammee Tree.]
Some of the Westernmost of these Islands are nine or ten leagues long,
have fertile land with mold deep and black; and these produce trees of
various kinds, some of great and tall bodies, especially the Mammee. The
heat is not so violent here as in many other places under the Equator. The
time of year for the rains, is in November, December, and January.'
At _Albany Bay_, and at other of the Islands, the Buccaneers built
storehouses, in which they lodged 5000 packs of their prize flour, and a
quantity of sweetmeats, to remain as a reserved store to which they might
have recourse on any future occasion. Part of this provision was landed at
the Islands Northward of _King James's Island_, to which they went in
search of fresh water, but did not find any. They endeavoured to sail back
to the _Duke of York's Island_, Cowley says, 'there to have watered,' but
a current setting Northward prevented them.
[Sidenote: 12th. They sail from the Galapagos.] On June the 12th, they
sailed from the _Galapagos Islands_ for the Island _Cocos_, where they
proposed to water. The wind at this time was South; but they expected they
should find, as they went Northward, the general trade-wind blowing from
the East; and in that persuasion they steered more Easterly than the line
of direction in which _Cocos_ lay from them, imagining that when they came
to the latitude of the Island, they would have to bear down upon it before
the wind. Contrary however to this expectation, as they advanced Northward
they found the wind more Westerly, till it settled at SWbS, and they got
so far Eastward, that they crossed the parallel of _Cocos_ without being
able to come in sight of it.
[Sidenote: July. Coast of New Spain. Cape Blanco.] Missing _Cocos_, they
sailed on Northward for the coast of _New Spain_. In the beginning of
July, they made the West Cape of the _Gulf of Nicoya_. 'This Cape is about
the height of _Beachy Head_, and was named _Blanco_, on account of two
white rocks lying about half a mile from it, which to those who are far
off at sea, appear as part of the mainland; but on coming nearer, they
appear like two ships under sail[40].'
[Sidenote: John Cook, Buccaneer Commander, dies. Edward Davis chosen
Commander.] The day on which they made this land, the Buccaneer Commander,
John Cook, who had been some time ill, died. Edward Davis, the
Quarter-Master, was unanimously elected by the company to succeed in the
command.