which lieth about 15 leagues to the westerd of the westmost Point of
Durian[2] bay. this golden Island lyeth in North lattitude nearest in
9 deg. 12'. capt. Allisson and capt. Maggott being sickly weare unable to
march, butt all the aforsd captaines landed with their men, leaveing
onely a sayleing crew on bord Each vessell; their Orders being that if
any should come to oppose them, all hands to repair on Borde Harriss
and Coxon, thay being shipps of force. Being on Shoare wee had about
Halfe an Howers discource with the Indians. thay amounge Each other
chose out two men to goe before the forloorne, to shew us the way.
first of all wee marched through a small skert of a wood, downe to
sandy bay by the sea side, about 2 miles; the marching over the sandy
bay was tiersom, haveing our gunns Amunition and knapsacks of
provant[3] to carry with us, but after wee past this sandy Bay wee
Enters into a wood againe, which lead us into a valley which in time
of raines is full of water. by three of the clocke this day wee Had
martched from the shipps 3 leauges, and takes upp our seate, wheir wee
intended that night to sleepe. their came downe to us one capt.
Andreas,[4] an Indian, with some others with him. he spake a little
Spannish, and gave us the bien venitdo.[5] thay brought Plantins downe
with them, which they distributed to the company, thinking theirby Had
done us a greate Kindness; their garments are made of cotton, they
weare longe Black Hair, the men weare a peice of thinn gould in their
Noses, which is made like a Half moone (like unto the Marg't)[6]
kivering their lipps. some few of them hath itt made of silver. their
women goes bear headed, with longe black Hair hanging downe, wearing a
kinde of white cotton Blanckett over their Sholders, which comes downe
about their bodyes. thay weare in the grissell of their nose a round
ring, some of Silver, some of golde. capt. Andreas tolde us he would
have borne us company to have martched next day, butt that he had a
childe sicke and fear'd would soone die; and when dead, would follow
us with a comepany of Indians with him; and soe tooke his leave of us.
The next day being tuesday, in the morning about 4 of the clock word
was gave to Martch, and that no man, on the loss of life, should fier
a gunn in the woodes, least some Indian Rogues or other should betray
us, by runing afore to acquaint the Spaniards. yesterday two men
tier'd, so went back againe. this tuesday wee Martched upp a very high
Hill. twas neare 10 of the clock before wee gott the topp of itt. one
man more tier'd, that return'd back againe. on this Hill wee could
finde no water, so that the company weare almost famisht for the want
theirof. the Indian pilotts gave us to understand that a little
farther was water, which about 2 of the clock wee came up with; wheire
wee all dranck and Refreshed our selves bravely. about 2 howers martch
farther wee gott downe to the foote of this Hill. on the South side is
a brave River whear wee tooke up our quarters that night, it being the
second night of rest since wee left our Shipps. this day wee martched
neare 14 miles E.S.E. nearest. the next day, being wensday the 7.
ditto, as soone as the Day brake wee weare uppon our Martch. about 10.
of the clocke wee rested and refresht our selves with bread an water,
and Pipes and tobacco; and about 3 of the clock wee tooke upp our
quarters againe, by a river side. in the woodes wee saw some Indian
Hutte, butt no strainge Indians, for wee went a course more to the
southward to fetch a Circute cleare of the Duryan Indians, who have a
continuall Peace with the Spaniard.
[Footnote 2: Darien.]
[Footnote 3: Provisions.]
[Footnote 4: He survived till 1698, to receive the Scottish settlers
of the Darien colony, who also, by the way, had the aid of Captain
Allison, sickly though he is declared, above, to have been in 1680.]
[Footnote 5: _Buen venido_, welcome.]
[Footnote 6: Margent, margin--a marginal drawing here.]