by breake of day, that so wee might comepass 6 leauges, which wee did.
about 2 aclock wee came up with some hutts, wheir their Kinge lived,
who received us with greate kindness, being Joyfull of our company, as
he Exprest it by presenting us with Plantans, Cassado,[7] Indian
Corne, Drinck, and Rootes; haveing beene with us some time, return'd
to his house againe. his garment was of white cotton made like to a
friars cote. in the Evening the King came to us againe with his 2
sones, being in one garbe, save that the Kinge had in his Hand a longe
white rodd of about 7 foote longe, and a Hoope of Golde about his Head
for his crowne. this Hoope was about 2 Inches and a half broade. the
Kinge had 3 daughters of womens Estate, very comely Indians, who went
in fine cotton Roped about their bodies. Both men and women tooke much
delight to heare our Drum beate and colers fly but to fier a gunn or
to heare the noyse thay weare afraide. the Kings Daughters fantsied
much to be in our Company, in so much that some of our Peopple by
signes would ask them if they should live with them and thay be their
wives. thay often would make Arrants to their fathers house to fetch
us Plantans. The Kinge tolde capt. Coxon that the next day wee must
nott march butt that he must send one of his sones to gett cannoes, to
carry us all by water downe the river, and that in two dayes march
more (itt being Sunday) wee should come wheir these Cannoes wheir. wee
often mett with Indian Hutts in the Martch, in which the Peopple
stoode ready to throw us Plantans and give us corne drincke.[8] wee
found that they weare makeing cannoes for us as fast as they could.
thiss day wee martcht about 5 leagues and came up with 3 or 4 Houses
close by a River-side wheir wee lodged. hear thay provided about 14
cannoes which those that weare most tired with martching went into,
about 90 men in the cannoes, 2 or 3 Indians to worke them downe the
River, thay haveing Experience to worke cannoes in a river wheir the
currant runns like an Arrow out of a bow.[9] the cheifest of our
company this Sunday marched againe. the cannoes went downe the River.
wee martched till night, where wee had all the rest of the cannoes
made ready, about 60; in some cannoes their wear 6, some 4 and 3
Indians according to the biggness. the Indians tolde us that with-in 2
dayes after, which was tuesday, wee should see the other cannoes which
went away out of the other river;[10] wee weare putt all to a stand
att thiss and thoughts rise amounge us that these Indians onely
seperated us to bring us all to destruction, so thatt wee had much
grumbings amounge us, that thay made Signes wee should nott be
troubled att any thing. the next day, wee haveing cannoes and
Barkloggs enow, wee Imbarkques, haveing 2 Indians in Each cannoe, to
steare them downe, because the freshes runn soe swift as possible can
be Imagind, that the least touch of a cannoe against a stump or Rock
over setts them if nott staves them all to peices. Munday night past,
wee heare no newes of our other party that went away out of the other
river, butt the Indians tolde us by signes that, by such time the sunn
was att such a High as thay pointed, wee should see the other party.
Tuesday Every one takes to his cannoe againe and went downe the river,
and about 10 of the clock we saw an Indian cannoe a setting to us
against the streame, alonght the river side, who tolde us that our
cannoes which came downe the other River was gott to the place wheire
both rivers mett, wheir the Indians intended to meete us. about 2 of
the clock in the After noone we wear gott downe, and wear very glad to
Injoy the comepany of our owne Peopple againe. in comeing downe the
River some cannoes wear over sett; some lost their Armes, butt the
Indians would dive and gett them up againe. one man being left behinde
in the woodes astray, Expecting to Kill something to eate, the Indians
weare soe Kind as to bring him downe to us. thiss afternoone wee fixes
our Armes and cattoch[11] Boxes, Dryes our Poweder. now 20 leagues
farther wee come to a Place called Santa Maria,[12] to which place wee
rowe and paddle very hard alday. this place made all with Stockados,
no greate gunns, but onely a place to keepe the Indians out of the
river, itt being a river wheir thay take much golde. about one aclock
att night wee wear gotten close under the Stockadose, soe that wee
could heare the Centry talke. wee landed about half a mile from the
place in the woods and lay their till day. Next morning wee heard a
drum beate. thay fier'd a small arme to discharge their watch, which
hearing no more gunns fired wee knew that wee wear not descryed. Capt
Rich'd Sawlkings runns up to the Pallassados and all the party
following him as fast as thay could, and fiering att the Pallassados,
and thay att us; fiering with their harkquebusses, throweing lances,
and shooteing Arrowes. thay had within their Pallassados about 200
men. wee killed about 70 men. after wee had had about half an howers
dispute with them, Capt. Rich Sawlkings runns to the pallassado's with
2 or 3 men more, and halls up 2 or 3 pallassados by maine strength,
and enters in. thay Imediately calls for Quarter, which was presently
granted by us. this was one Thirday the 15 day of Aprill. the Governor
with 2 Negroes and 2 women made his Eschape by runing about a mile
downe the river, wheir he takes a cannoe and makes for Pennamau downe
the river so fast as he could, butt understanding he had made his
Eschape fitted in the Afternoone a cannoe with six oares. capt.
Sawlkings goes in her to see if he could finde this governor butt
could nott. wee lay att these Stockadose 2 dayes. itt is a very small
place onely to shelter those that goes to wash golde in another Arme
of the River, which comes out of a river[13] into this Santa Maria
river. The Injury wee received in takeing the Pallassadoes was that
capt. Sawlkings was shott in the Head with an arrow, and one man more
shott in the hand, butt both soone cured. wee by Examining Our
Prissonars understoode, that 4 dayes before wee came there went away
for Pannamau 2 Small Barques which caried away 4 chests of dust golde.
thay had no newes of us before thay saw us. heare we found butt little
Riches. some church plate, as is reported, was found, some dust golde
in callabasses,[14] some wines and brandy, Jerck porke, good store of
bread. the next day wee drawes out to see who would goe for the South
Seas, that is to say to take Pennamau; att last wee findes all our
party, butt ii which wear unwilling. Our Generall, capt. Coxon, seemed
unwilling, butt with much perswaission went; those ii men that would
returne, wee putts into their hands to carry that plate wee tooke
heare. thay had Indians to conduct them back. Now wee putts our
selves all in Readiness for Pennamau, which lieth about 30 leagues
from thiss Santa Marea river to the Northwards. wee wear 2 dayes a
roweing out of this snta Marea River, before wee gott into the South
Seas. in this place there runns very Stronge tydes of Ebb and floode.
the tydes keepe their common course as thay doe in the North Sea. itt
flowes by the moone S.S.E. soe wee getting out of the river and the
tyde of floode comeing on, wee rowed hard to gett over to a key which
wee saw,[15] and Stopt their till the floode had done. on which key
wee found the 2 Negro women which had made their Eschape alonge with
the Governor of the Stockadose. thay tolde us that the gover'r went
from thence that morning intending to row alonge shore with the 2
Negro men to Pennamau, he perswaiding him-self that wee would be for
Pennamau. wee sent one of our best cannoes to rowe after him, butt to
no purpose. Butt when wee left the Stockadose, the prissnars beggs of
us to carry them away with us, crying that the Indians would distroy
them all, soe when wee departed that Place wee carried with us what
wee possibly could. no soonar wee came a shore butt wee hears a
miserable crye. the Indians killed all the poore soules that weare
left. Now wee being in the South Sea's goes alonge shoare to a Plantan
Key,[16] which lieth about 14 leagues from Pennamau. wee tooke 2
Negroes which was sent thether to cutt woode for building as well as
to breede provissions. Barkques come from Pennamau to fetch itt. this
night as wee lay here wee saw a Barque on the back side of this key.
wee man'd 2 cannoes and went out and tooke her. she fier'd 2 or 3
small Arme's att us butt did not any harme. next morning we went all
out from the key in our cannoes. Our Gen'll capt. Coxon bad all
peopple that wear in small cannoes, to goe on borde the barkque and
putt their cannoes adrift. capt. Batt Sharpe went into the Barkque
commander, and about 135 men, which had beene in very small cannoes
and fearfull thay might Sinck under them. wee understood by this
barkque that wee wear nott as yett descried att Pennamau. this day
wee makes sayle, Keepeing the Perriaugers and cannoes company. that
next night wee saw another Small Barkque which capt. Peter Harris came
upp with in his cannoe and tooke. she had on borde her about 20 Armed
men. thay fought about a quarter of an hower, wounded one of our men.
capt. Sharpe looseing comepany in his barkque that night went away to
the Pearle Keys.[17] Heard of a new Barkque Just launched, wee found
to be trew; soe wee tooke the new one and sank the olde one wee first
gott. wee gott their some plunder out of a House. this Night wee makes
what sayle wee could to gett our party which went for Pennamau. capt.
Sharpe haveing the 3d. part of the comepany one borde him disabled the
Party, so as thay dirst not venture on Pennamau. Butt seeing 6 or 7
sayle of Shipps lying of att the Keys of Perico,[18] which lyeth in 9
degr. North lattitude and about 2 miles from Pennamau, wheir All the
shipps that come to Pennamau rides, Thay putts for the Shipps, butt
the Gover'r that had made his Eschape att the Stockadose did nott
discry us, butt tolde them Sta. Maria was taken, by what nation he
could nott well tell butt thought itt weare English. A Barkque wee
gave chase to butt could nott fetch her upp. she seeing all our
cannoes getts into Pennamau and makes alarme. their was by Relacion
putt on board the shipp and Barkques which came out to fight us 300
Soldados[19] and Armed men. wee had about 3 howers dispute and tooke
them all. wee killed and wounded many men. And Brave vallient capt.
Peter Harriss was shott in his cannoe through both his leggs, bordeing
of a greate shipp. their was nott any gott cleare only on [one] small
Barkque that rann into Pennamau againe. itt being all done and Quiatt,
the Spanish Gen'll[20] being kill'd wee tooke his Chief captaine, one
capt. Berralto,[21] who being an Antient Seaman in those seas we
caused him to be our Pylott, he being the commdr. of that shipp that
carried away the Riches from Pennamau to Limma about 12 years since,
that same time when Sr. Henry Morgan tooke Pennamau. this capt.
Berralto was much burnt, and his peopple most of them kill'd and
blowne upp, for as thay fought us thay had scatter'd loose powder on
their decks, which tooke a fier by some accident or other, that wee
seeing itt borded them and tooke them. these 7 sayle of shipps we
tooke att Pennamau was not above half unloded. their lading was
flower, linnen and woolen cloath, one greate shipp half laden with
Iron. wee desierd of capt. Berralto which wear the best saylors. he
told us on his word the _Trinnity_ was the best in the South Seas, soe
wee pitched on her for Admirall,[22] putting capt. Harriss abord that
was wounded. the Doctors cutting of one legg itt fester'd so that itt
pleased god he died, so wee lost that Valliant brave Soldiar. then wee
putt in capt. Rich'd Sawlkings into the Shipp _Trinity_ and made him
Our Admirall. our former Adm'll[23] nott behaveing himself Nobly in
time of Ingagement, was something houted att by the Party, that he
Imediately went away to goe over land. wee gave him a small barkque,
with which he return'd to the river of Sta. Maria with about 70 men
alonge with him, capt. Richd. Sawlkings being now the chief commander
in the Shipp _Trinity_, capt. Cooke commander of a Barkque about
Eighty tunns, capt. Batt. Sharpe in a small Barkque that came from the
Pearle Keys, and another small barke wee kept to weight uppon us. thay
fierd their gunns off from Pennamau to us butt did us no damage. wee
solde wine to Spaniards that came off shoare to buy itt by stillt, and
thay brought us off hatts and showes to sell; butt about the sixt of
March,[24] and the very next day that capt. Coxon our Adm'll went
away, wee saw a shipp. wee gave her chase and tooke her, with capt.
Batt. Sharps Barkque. she came from the citty Limmo,[25] most of her
ladeing was flower. fifty thousand Peices of Eight in her and some
silkes. capt. Sharpe shifted out of his Barkque into thiss Limmo
Shipp; wee tooke what was needfull out of her, for dyett, wines,
brandie, and what elce wee found good, and burnt and sunck all the
rest. Kept onely those shipps aforemenciond for our owne use. Wee
resolveing now to cruise these Seas, for wealth, wee stands from this
Place or the Keys of Perico (so called) 3 leagues to another Key, very
well Inhabited, to fill our water for the Sea, butt findeing we had no
meat to eate (altho' Enough flower, Brandye and wine) wee concluded to
gett som. to that end some Prissnars telling us of a Place called the
Yjakeell,[26] a very rich towne, and that their wee might a voyage att
once, Our Adm'll capt. Sawlkings was willing to goe to this place
before they should have any Knowlidge of our comeing, butt our
peopple, being head stronge, would have meate to eate first. this
Pennama lieth in 9 deg. No. lattitude in a bottom of a bay. wee sett saile
with our greate shipp _Trinity_, and capt. Sharpe in the Lymmo shipp,
and capt. Edmond Cooke in another Barkque, and 2 small Barkques, 7 men
a Peece, very Head stronge fellowes, which sepperated themselves from
us. wee saild S.W. and B.W.[27] and W.S.W. about 60 leagues and came
up with these keys of Quibo Nueve,[28] or the keys of the new towne,
wheir all shipps that goes from Pennamau to Lymmo touches to water and
all shipps that come from windward makes these keyes if thay are bound
into Pennamau. here is good Pearle oystars And fishing and Deare on
the Keys. the 28 day of Apr'll capt. Sawlkings comes on borde capt.
Edmond Cooke with about 60 men, goes to saile, and carries him into
this river called Pueblo Nuevo.[29] wee went into a river by the
Assistance of a Pilott. capt. Sawlkings went ashore with about 45 men.
the barkque went in as far as she could and came to an Anchor. they
went up the River and landed Just against some Stockadoes which thay
had built by the river side for the security of their men. Our
Valliant Gen'll capt. Salkins landed him-self first and went into the
Savana and saw aboundance of Peopple their. one Molatta mett him,
whome capt Sawlkins Shott downe. Returnes back a little way, askt if
the Party wear all landed and ready. Answer was made, "Yes." then said
he, "follow me and doe not lye behind, for if I doe amise You will all
fair the worse for itt." Hee went up corragiously with some brisk men
with him, butt their was provided Mollattas and hunters with their
launces which came to oppose him. He fierd his Pistole and shott downe
one Musteese,[30] the rest fiering and lodeing as fast as they could,
but the Spaniards coming in uppon them so fast that kill'd capt.
Sawlkins and 3 men more. thay tooke one alive. wee heard him make a
dreadfull noyse butt could not rescque him, butt was forst to retreate
to our cannoes, and goe off as fast as wee could, thay comeing downe
so fast uppon us. Wee found in this River 2 barkques: one we burnt,
the other wee brought out which was laden with pitch, She seemeing
likely to sayle well. our peopple went aborde againe of capt. cooke,
which lay with his barkque att the Rivers mouth, telling us that capt.
Sawlkins was killd with 3 men more, to our greate sorrow. wee saild
out with the barkque to the Key wheir the greate Shipp lay, about 5
leagues from this River, to the Southwards. when the parties came to
know that capt. Sawlkins was kild and that thay could discover him to
be our Admirall by the ring he had on his finger, a Present from the
Governour of Pennamau,[31] He sending him this token and with all to
meete him on shoare with a hundred men to try their manhoods against
one hundred of them. capt. Sawlkins returnes this answer, that in case
he would bring out one hundred thousand peices of Eight he would meete
him, with one hundred men against his, to fight him for the money, or
Elce resolved to die in that Place. butt the gov'r of Pennamau
refused so to doe. Now capt. Sharpe goe's aborde the greate ship the
_Trinnity_, as chief commander. capt. Sawkins being very well beloved
by the party that saild with him, and Sharpe ill beloved, their was a
party of sixty men went to returne over land, to whome wee gave capt.
Cookes Barkque to carry them downe to the River of Sta. Maria. He
Entring into the Barkque that was tooke in the River Pueblo Nuevo,
which Barkque wee tooke on the first day of may and named her the _may
flower_. Butt upon some disgust or other capt. Cooke left his _May
flower_ and went on board the greate Shipp as a private Souldiar.
capt. Batt. Sharpe, being command't in chiefe, putts a commander of
the _May flower_ one Jno. Cox. att these keys wee fil'd our water and
putts to sea to ply to windward. these keys lye in 7 deg. 20' North
lattitude. we had the wind att S.E. and B.E. and S.E. wee stood to the
Southward, steming S. and B.W. and S.S.W., butt little winde and
sometimes calme. wee tried the currant and found itt to sett E. and
b.S., a stronge currant. when wee had by our Judgement 60 leagues
offing, wee had thoughts to goe to a parcell of Keys cal'd the
galloper, which lieth 100 leagues in the offing from the Isle of
Plate, and under the Equinoctiall.[32] we haveing here the winds
hanging much in the S.W. quarter, wee stood to the Southward about 8
dayes, with our starborde tacks aborde, and in the morning about 8 of
the clock, wee saw the land, which proved to be an Island called the
Gurgony.[33] wee intending to cleane the Shipp Stayes here, and
findeing a good bay, wee conscidered of itt and concluded to carreene
here. wee findeing this Island good Stoare of water and fish, Oystars
and Indian Connyes, and Monkeys which wee Eate for want of meate. this
Gurgony lieth in the lattitude of 3 deg. 7' in a deepe bay. no
Inhabbitance on't, save fishermen and those that dive for Pearles.
her's good tree's for mast and timber, And for many other uses to
furnish a shipp. wee carreen'd the greate shipp by the small barkque
cal'd the _May flower_, built a house on shoare to putt our Rigging
and saile in. Our greate shipp heaveing downe very taught, wee could
not [bring] her keele upp by a streake.[34] itt flowes att this Island
two fatham upp and downe.[35] wee made fast our cable to the trees,
and the other Anchor in the offing; all being done to both shipps, in
six weekes time wee putt to sea againe, intending to windward, and
Orders was given, in case of looseing company, that wee wear to make
the best of our way for the Island of Plate. att the beginning[36] of
July twas, wee putts to sea both together. winds att S.S.E. and S. and
B.E. wee stands with our Star-borde tacks aborde, standing over to the
Island of Barrakoase or elce called Cock Island.[37] this Isl'd lieth
in under the land, and is inhabbited with 7 or 8 families, as our
pilot gave us an account. our former new Barkque, as wee heard, was
taken into thiss river of barrakoase, and all butt one distroyed. the
land here is high champian land far in the cuntry, butt near the water
side low and Mangrovey. It lieth alonge W.S.W. 90 leagues, till wee
come up to a key cal'd St. Francisco.[38] wee turn'd in up within 3
leagues of the shoare, with both shipps. wee Indeavord to stand in
with the land in the night, to gaine the land winde. about the fift
day att night after wee had been outt of the Gorgony, wee fortun'd to
loose company, which brede greate disturbance on borde the Greate
Shipp, which had 150 men on borde, butt much more fear and Rangling
was on borde the _May flower_ for fear wee should all be putt to our
Shifts, being in an Enimies cuntry and unknowne Seas to us. wee in the
_May flower_ follows the order received from the Admirall and makes
the best of our way for the Isle of plate. as itt appeard after-ward
the greate ship stood into the offing for 2 dayes and the _May flower_
turning alonge shoar, gott to the Isle of Plate before the Ship
_Trinity_ 3 dayes; wee wear about 15 dayes a turning up. the winds
blow att S.E. and b.S. and S.S.E. most Here, with-out itt be in a
turnado. this Isle of Plate is so called because in former time Sr.
Francis Drake tooke their Armado of shipps, which was bound downe to
Pannamau, and carries them into this Island, and their shares their
wealth, as capt. Barralto related to us,[39] so that since the
Spaniards have called itt the Isle of Plate. here wee have good
Anchoring in about 14 fathom water, in a brave Sandy bay. You anchor
against the body of the Island, bringing the Sandy bay to bear S.W.
and S. of you. itt is well furnished with gotes, which caused us to
touch here for fresh meates, butt no fresh water that ships can
conveniently fill att, except in the time of raines. we lay att an
anchor here 3 dayes. one man comeing from the South side of thiss
Island saw a Shipp off att sea standing into the shore plying to
windward. itt rejoyced our hearts hopeing to be the _Trinity_ our
Adm'll, which so proved. the next day She gott Inn, which caused Joy
on both sides. here wee gott some turtle, which are butt small to
those in the South Sea's. The greate Shipp was damag'd by standing so
far to sea outt of the bay of Gorgony, twisting the Heads of her lore
masts, occasiond by hard winds which blew att S.S.E., butt as soone as
the carpenters had fitted the heads of the mast wee putt both to sea.
this Isle of Plate lieth in 58' South lattitude.[40] the Greate shipp
being now more in her trim out sails the barkque. now wee learning of
a Place cal'd Arico that lieth in south lattd. 18 deg. 40',[41] a rich
place, Intends thither, But delaying of time att gorgony, advice is
sent from Pennamau up to a towne cal'd Yaceell,[42] a very rich place
for golde, which befor capt. Sawkins was kill'd intended to have
tooken, butt after the 60 men had left us, wee had Informacion thay
wear provided for us, soe wee stood upp alonge shore to goe to Arica.
in 2 dayes wee getts up as high as St. Alena, which is a point. itt
lieth in south lattd. 3 deg. 5'.[43] the greate ship towes the small one,
because would gett to windward before discried. this River of Yseell
[Yaceell] is a brode river, about 35 legs[44] att the mouth. the towne
lieth Near 40 leagues up the River. about the middle of August one
night, as the greate shipp had us in a towe, we saw a saile in the
darke. wee lett goe their towe, and made what saile we could to her,
comes in half a hower up with her, and ha'ls her. Shee fierd a
Harkquebus att us, att which wee presented them with a whole Volley;
she fier severall small gunns at us, and wounded 3 men. one of them
after-wards died. wee laid her aboard and tooke her. She had about 30
hands in her, fitted out for an Armadillo[45] to come downe to the
Isle of Plate, to see what a posture wee lay in; their was on Borde 2
very Honorable gentlemen, which came out for ther Pleasure to see us,
wee being term'd amounge them a strainge sort of Peopple and cal'd by
the name of Laddron. thay tolde us that 4 dayes before thay came out
of Yakell saild a shipp bound up for Lymmo, loden with tymber, woolen
cloth, thred, Stockings and some silks, which if wee kept under the
shoar as shee did wee must needs see her. thiss Vessell wee tooke,
nott sayleing so well as the _Trinity_. wee rummages her, takeing what
was good, towes her 35 leagues off to sea, cutts her maine mast by the
borde and give her to the Prissnars, giveing them water and flower
enough that thay might not want. wee kept the 2 gent'men and the
master to pilote us. wee stood into the river of Yakell and makes the
land. att the south side of the river about 16 leagus within is cape
Blanco which is the southermost point of this river Yacell, and cape
Blanco lieth in 4 deg. South lattd. point a St. Alena is a very remarkable
land to beknowne, for tis like to a shipp with her keele up. thiss
cape blanco is a very barren land, onely small brush growes uppon itt.
thay cals to us out of the greate shipp, aboard the _May flower_, to
goe in under the shor to anchor, which wee did, and hal'd on borde of
them. thay tooke out our water and flower and what was necessary and
cutt a hole in her bottom, so wee all went on borde the _Trinity_. by
takeing a small armadillo barkque, wee have Intelligence that a small
Barkque of 7 hands of our's, one Morriss Connoway commdr., was taken
and 6 of them Kill'd in the river Baracoes, onely one saved which
speakes good Spannish, which suppose to be one Tho. Hall, whome the
Spaniard hath prissnar att the river Ketto.[46] wee weere sorroy to
hear it but could not help itt, neither knew not how to gett the other
off that was alive, he being about 60 leagues in land. wee cruised
under the Shoare for the shipp which came out of Yacell bound for
Lymmo, which lieth in 12 deg. South Lattd. by our prissnars wee understood
shee had brake her mayne yard and was putt into Payta,[47] butt
standing to and throw under the Shore wee saw a sayle to windwd. as
farr as wee could descerne. wee stood after her all night and the next
morning was within a league of her, the wind blowing a brave fresh
gaile. by 12 aclock was up with her and found her to be the saime
shipp thay tolde us of. wee had all manner of cloth in her, thred,
Stocking and a very good linnen and silk plunder, some wine and
brandy, very little plate, saveing a cupp, dis[h] or plate or soe in
the cabbon. after wee had Plunderd her what wee would, wee towes her
40 leagues into sea, in the lattd. of 7 deg. 10' So. lattd. wee cutt her
maine mast and mizan by the borde, and putts in a greate many
Prissnars, keepeing the Master of the Small Armadillo and Barralto for
Pylotes. Now wee are all with one conscent bound for Wind-ward,
bloweing a fine ordnary gaile att S.S.E. and S.E. and B.S. wee stands
close-hald into sea, steming S.W., sometimes S.W. and B.S.; sometimes
the wind came in flawes, that we lay but S.W. and B.W. wee generally
counted that wee made west 30 deg. or sometimes 20 deg. degree's course to the
Southward of the west of cape Blanco, which lieth in 4 degrees. wee
mett with very hard winds, but after wee gott as high as 7 deg. degrees,
oppositt to a point of land called Point Agoohow,[48] wee had easey
winds that wee seldome reeved our topp-sailes. this land trenches away
from the Point Agoohow till you come to Arrica, which lieth in the
bottom of all the bay in the lattd. of 18 deg. 40' So. lattd. S.S.E.[49]
wee Stretches of to Sea about a month and getts into the lattd. of
Arrica, then wee had att the chainge and fall of the moone a small
w.n.w. wind for 3 or 4 dayes togather. wee stears in E.S.E. with all
sayle wee could, the master att that time Imagining that that course
would fetch Arrica, butt the wind comeing att S.E. and b.E. and S.E.
wee found that wee could lye but E. and b.N. here wee found 8 deg.
variacion and as wee runn to the Southward wee found the variation
more. makeing what saile wee could, being in the lattd. of Arrica 380
legs., Imagining wee should be discryed before we gott in, wee fell to
leewards of Arrica about 14 leagues, by a bay they call the bay of
Yellow.[50] meeting under the Shore with a leward currant, was a week
longer than expectacion turning up to the bay of Arrica. wee came
about the beginning of October, and to my best remembrance, Indeavored
to land the Second Day. att the north side of the bay, wee mand our 2
cannoes with 30 men and our Stricking Dory with 8, Our perriauger with
37 men. wee roade to the Shore butt found their no landing, soe that
wee return'd againe, and stood in directly against the Morro Head,[51]
which is a High Hill made white with foules dunging on't, which lieth
Just over the towne of Arica, a very Remarkable Place to be knowne.
itt lieth att the wester part of thiss bay of Arica, on which thay ust
to keepe a looke out. Especially now hearing wee wear in the Seas, and
bound upp to take that place, kept the strickter watch. wee saw, that
after wee had made a second attempt, to goe ashoare, which was the
night following we made the first, that thay knew of our coming, for
Just as wee wear goeing to land in a bay about 2 leagues to the
Southwards of the towne, wee saw many horse men rideing alonge Shoare,
so that wee findeing no convenient Place to land, rowed a little of
Shoar and consulted togather. wee lay in sight of the shipps, and saw
5 or 6 sayle vaporing and fiering off their Paderrero's[52] to
frighten us; some of our Peopple would have gon in to have distroyed
them, and others being backwards would not, soe all returnd aborde of
our man of Warr _Trinity_; and makeing the best of way to windwards.
Capt. Batt. Sharpe being our commandr., and haveing gott money by the
death of our former capt. Sawkens, and more that he gott by Play, was
Intended thiss year through the streights of Majelena,[53] butt some
grumbled saying thay had not Voyage Enough, and weare unwilling, so
that their was a debate amounge the peopple and capt[ain], butt
stretching of itt into 29 deg. and 30' wee weare Informed of a towne in
thiss lattd. its called Quoquemba,[54] a towne of 7 churches, no longe
settlement butt a mighty Pleasant place and very rich of gold and
silver. A Delightsome garden for all sorts of fruite, a[s] cherries,
Appricocks, Peaches, Apples, pares, prunellos, Strawberrys and all
things which grow in our Northern Parts, and curious small runing
River parting Every mans land, mighty Pleasant to beholde. thiss towne
of Quoquemba wee takes, butt wear discried 3 dayes, as wee heard
Afterwards, By a flagg of truce which came in to treate with us. thay
gotten away their mony and Plate out of the towne, onely some Church
Plate with Silk hangings we Plundred. in the towne we tooke fresh
Provission, as biefes, hoggs, and wine, which is made hear, And
indifferent good Brandy wee carried on boarde. wee landed here on a
Tuesday Morning, an houer before day, att a store-house which is made
att the S.S. west part of the bay, from whence capt. Batt Sharpe and
rest of the party (onely[55] those who wear left in the cannoes and
Launch which was 2 in the cannoes, and 3 in the launch) marched for
the towne of Quoquembo. 35 of our party as they wear Marching mett
about 150 Spaniards, most on horseback; thay had not all gunns, some
launces, other Spade's; more of our Party comeing upp, seeing the
foloorne so much Ingaged, thay wounded one or 2 of their horses, with
some of the Spaniards, which made them to retreat to a greate hill,
about 5 mile from the towne. wee Entred the towne and kept possession
of 4 dayes. wee askt the flagg of truce five hundred thousand peeces
of Eight for the randsome of thiss towne, and told him that the next
day by 10 of the clock, thay should bringe their money, otherwise wee
would burne the towne. the next day the flagg of Truce came downe by
12 of the clock, and tolde us thay would give no randsome. wee
understood thiss flagg of truce Had a suit of law in hand, and was
likely to be cast, as he afterwards told us, which would be the ruing
of him-self. he shew'd us his house and desier'd us to sett fier on
itt, whatever wee did. fa[r]ther told us that if we weare not gone the
next day thatt thay had gotten togather 600 men and most of them
Armed. wee gett the Plunder of the towne what wee could. Next morning,
setts most part of the towne on fier and Martches to the bay. their
our cannoes mett us and tooke in our things wee brought downe and
carried on borde the shipp, wheir she lay att Anchor within a Mile of
the Stoare house, Just within a Rockey Poynt. the land lay in the
winde 2 Points without her. the night before our Party came downe, Our
Shipp had likt to have beene burnt. A Hogg skyn being blown upp and
sowed tyte, some fellow of a Spaniard had Venterd off and laid itt on
the rudther and Stearn Post (itt stufft with powder), satt itt on
fier, and went away unseene by our Peopple. some of our men smelling a
strainge Smell, run to and thro' about the Shipp to see for itt,
lookeing every wheir. One man, seeing a light come into the Cabban,
lookes out att the Stern-Portes, and spies wheir itt was, cryes out
for more help, and by a providenc of God gott itt speedily out. some
Imagined itt to be a Plott of the Prissnars aborde against us. some
wear for killing capt. Barralto, because att that time he hid himself,
others for keepeing him alive till our capt. and party came on board,
which the next day thay all did, and being acquanted with what was
past concludes to sett them on shore here thatt wee had had 7 or 8
months, Don Juan and his Cossin, a fine younge man, capt. Juan and
capt. Barralto wee putt ashore, all att thiss storehouse in the bay of
Quoquemba. wee wear glad to be ridd of them butt thay much more glad
to be cleare of us; butt before thay went ashore thay understoode that
wee wear minded to goe to two keys that lieth from thiss Place S. and
b.W. and S.S.W. about 90 leagues off shoare in the lattd. of 33 deg. 45'
south lattd. These keys are called Don Juan Francisco's[56] keys,
because he found them out first, and Putt a parcell of goates on them,
and since have bredd to a mighty number. aboundance of Fish and
Seales; as fine keys as any in these seas to recruite att, being water
and wood Enough. all is on the Easterd most key. these keys lieth East
and west one of the other, 20 leagues distance by Relacion of some
Prissnars.[57] on the westermost key is no anchoring for Shipps
neither any cattle, so that wee did nott stop their att all, but went
to the Estermost key, wheir wee come to anchor, with a northerly
winde. att the South sid of thiss Island is a brave Sandy bay but no
rideing if the wind come out Southerly; then you may runn downe to the
leeward side of the Island. Our master, Jno. Hilliard, for some
misdemeanor was turn'd out of his Place, and his mate, one Jno. Hall,
putt in Master. Hall went with a cannoe mand to Leeward to find a bay
which he thought might have beene a good place, seeing no better, so
wee ridd 2 dayes with the Shipp at the Southermost bay. the wind
coming out againe att S.E. and b.S. and S.S.E., we waied and putt to
sea, fearing twould blow hard, itt being an open bay. so wee rann
downe to thiss other bay our new master had found out, and lett goe
anchor. our cable parted. wee weire faine to goe father to looke for
another anchor Place, and about 4 miles to the N.W. we saw a fine
large bay and rivers of water, that wee filled our water close to the
water sid, wooding convenient, fish great store, Seals Inumerable,
butt we eate none, gotes mighty Plenty. the Islands are butt small,
nott above 7 miles round, butt very high and Hilly, full of Valleys,
so that wee rowed on the westward sid of the Island to windward or to
the southward to hunt for goates. In thiss second bay of anchorag,
came downe such flawes of wind out of the Valleys that our Anchor
could nott hold, that wee almost drove aShore. our Peopple cutting
wood and filling water, which was the greater Party, haveing no love
for capt. Batt. Sharpe, concludeing togather to turne him out of his
capt'shipp, which thay did, and Putts into his Place a stout rugged
fore man as captaine;[58] itt was much trouble to capt. Sharpe to be
thuss served, butt could nott help himself, for the peopple weir
Resolved nott to goe home by Sea before thay had more money. wee lay
in thiss small bay, which was about 2 miles to leeward of thiss greate
bay, about 3 dayes. wee made hast and gott our Anchor we lost and
water aborde, and the most part of the wood wee had cutt. wee wear
minded to have spent a moneths time att thiss key of Juan Fernandus
and then to have gon downe to have cruised till the next Year; Our
Blacksmith was ashore prepareing to have built a forge, and made Iron
worke for the Shipp, and Intended to have burnt charcole. he had
partly fixed his bellose. wee had two men of warr cannoes gon to
windward for goates and had found, by relacion, 150 fatt ones, butt
sleepeing alnight by a fier att the Sea Side and in the morning went
to fetch their goates, lookeing out to se if the Sea weir cleare of
shipps Spyed within 3 leagues of the Island 3 greate saile of Shipps,
Admirall, Vise Adm'll and Rear Adm'll; seeing thiss, made what hast
they could to their cannoes and soe on borde shipp, leaveing all their
goates behind them bound. as soone as thay came near the Shipp thay
warned us with 3 Motions, that wee understoode their was 3 saile. wee
gott all our peopple that weir on shore off and what other things wee
could, gott our anchor on bord, had nott time to gett the Other butt
lett him slipp, hoysted in Our launch and canno's. by thiss time thay
weir came within sight of us; so near that wee could se a weapon
florrished on the quarter deck of the Adm'll. wee understoode wee had
left one of our Strikears on shore that had gott under a tree to
Sleepe, sent a cannoe for him but could not finde him, soe came of to
the Shipp and left him their.[59] these 3 shipps Clings the wind and
stands After us. the reare Adm'll which was the least had 12 gunns,
their Vise Adm'll 16 and their Adm'll 24. Our new capt., being Jno.
Watkins, would have gon aborde the Adm'll if the Party had beene
willing; wee could wronge them by sayling att our Pleasures, bye or
large, soe that wee played with them a day and a night. then wee
concluded twas our time to goe downe and take Arrica, the Place that
wee made an attempt att before. wee made what sayle wee could,
Steering N.E. and b.N., to fall in about 30 leagues to windward of
Arrica, which wee did very well, but we weir tolde of a fishing key
that lay hear abouts 18 leagues from Arrica;[60] wee concluded to go
thither, which was our greate folly, and so standing off and on, those
on the key saw us and forthwith sent to Arica to informe them of us.
Our man of warr cannoes, roweing alonge shore to thiss Key, was 2
dayes before came up with itt, which att last did, and took 2 Antient
men Prissnors, about 75 years of Age. here we gott some fish and wine.
our peopple Examin'd the 2 old men, found them in two tailes, the one
being trew, the other not, as wee found Afterwards. the one tolde us
that Arica had news of us and that he believ'd thay would be provided
for us; for he sd. a Post would ride from the sand key to Arica in 3
dayes. for thiss Speech the man was shott downe by our quarter master
Jno. Duill. the Other was made much of, because was supposed to speake
the truth. soe wee made what hast wee could to Arica, and on a sunday
Morning, itt being in March, wee landed 82 men, wee understanding itt
to be a small towne. our orders was, if wee saw 3 Smokes rise from the
hill thay called the More, wee should make what hast wee could into
the harbor. Our Peopple marching till thay came to the towne, saw no
peopple till they Entred the townes End, wheir thay found Every topp
of a house fitted for them, and a fort of 12 gunns mounted. their
houses hear are built all flatt att the topp, for they never have any
Raines, no, nott in the remembrance of the Spaniards, butt very greate
dewes. Wee fell on the towne smartly, and became Victors in fouer
howers time so that twas our owne, Notwithstanding their was above 700
men In Armes, att our comeing.[61] all the Cuntry within 20 myles was
come inn and more in greate Number comeing. wee tooke the biggest
church to Make a Hospitall for our wounded men, which weare about
tenn, and six killd out right. Our capt. Jno. Wattkings was kill'd att
the same time, to our discomforts. One of the capt. of the Spaniards
which wee had taken, Spake in his owne linqua[62] to thiss Efect,
"Gent men, I know you are men come to seeke a fortune, if You want
money or Plate goe alonge with me, I will shew you wheir their is more
then you all can carry away." wee gave no credit to him, butt was
minded to fall on uppon the forte to take their greate gunns for the
shipp, haveing none on board. Our Party being so tired, and cutt off,
wee weare feigne to leave the greate gunns, money, all the Rest of the
rich traide which was in that small towne. three of our Doctors being
in the Hospitall Church dressing of our wounded men, had about 6 men
Order'd to guard them with their Armes. after wee saw we weir so
worsted and beaten, fighting against so greate Advantage, Some
peopple rann to bid them come away as could march, for our Party was
gon out of the towne. the Spaniards seeing thiss gott fresh to their
Armes againe, and rallied upp with us about the church that they durst
no come out, so that their was left 5 well men besides the 3 Doctors
which had not one Dropp of blood spilt from them. one or two of the
wounded men that had good hearts gott up and rann to the Party, and
tho' thay had many a shott made by the Spaniards att them, yett Scapte
clear. so many of our Party being almost choked for water, made use of
their owne; butt comeing downe to the water side wheir the launch and
cannnoe lay reddy to receive them, their follows them a parcell of
Negro's and Mallattos, which stood on a High Hill Just over the
Cannoes and throwes Downe Stones and Launces on Our Peopple. In thiss
frey, wee had taken, kill'd and wounded about 30. Wee Judge wee could
not Distroy of them less then 150 or 200 men, for they lay very thick
in the Streetes. Their governor or Gen'll was upon a Hill calld the
More, on Horse back, Just over the towne, from whence he could see
into every Streate and which way wee went. he often weaved to his
soldiers from thence, With his Handkerchiffe, to gave them notice
which way wee went, and crying out, "Valiente soldados, buina Valienta
Soldados."[63] Some of our peopple passed a shott att him but could
not have the fortune to hitt him. Our former new capt., Jno.
Wattkings, being kill'd att this Place, capt. Sharpe would have thrust
himself capt. againe. Soe that our party resolved to goe downe to
leeward. The most voyces wear to have the shipp, the lessar to have
the Launch and two cannoes. One party was resolved to stay, the other
to goe over Land, as will be presently related. wee now wanting water
and soe like to be in greate Distress, considered, and with the advise
of our Spanish pilott wee must goe into Ylo[64] for water, butt wee
learneing by some Spanish Journalls that their was water 14 Leagues to
windward of Ylio, which place wee Indeavord to comepass, and comeing
thither, found such a sea goeing as could nott gett ashoar with our
Cannoe; Soe Endeavor'd to gaine the Keys of Juan Fernandas againe. But
the windes bloweing so much southerly we could nott. soe leaveing itt
into the Shoare with our Starboard tacks on board, fetcht the bay
the[y] call't Vispo, in which their is a brave River and very good
water, which bay lieth in South lattd. 29 deg..[65] So wee fill their
about six tunn of water, And by Informacion of a Prissnor their taken,
that att Coequembo lay 2 men of warr, and he beleived would be downe
next morneing, thiss bay of Vispo being butt 15 leagues N. and b.W.
from Coquembo. att thiss Place wee found a new barkque and building.
some sheepe and goates wee brought of for foode, butt the Barkque wee
left, hopeing to have better of her hereafter. Putting out of this
Porte wee saild alonge N.N.W. 3 dayes, about 8 leagues of Shoare, to
another bay lying about 24 degrees South lattd, A Bay cal'd by the
name of Capt. Drakes his bay, Because that when he was their he
water'd. their is a brave fresh water River, And to thiss day is
standing a church which the sd. cap. Drakes causd to be Built for his
Memoriall; alltho' wee could nott gett on shoare by the Violence of
the Suff, yett the church was very vissible to us, nott being above
one quarter of a mile from itt.[66] so that att last wee wear forc't
to goe to Ylo to fill our Bumkings[67] with water. wee stay'd hear two
Dayes but dare make no longer stay, for fear the cuntry should come
downe uppon us. This Ylo lieth N.W. and b.W. from the Afore named
Arica, above 26 leges, And in the lattd. of 17 deg. 45' South lattitude.
Ylo beareth from the Citty lymmo S.B.E. 120 legs. now haveing fill'd
thiss water we putts to sayle to carry the party which was minded to
Martch back into the North Seas. wee rann down alonge, N.W. and by N.
and N.W., Just keepeing sight of land because would not be Descried,
which way wee went. About 9 dayes wee saild N.W. and b.N. and N.W.,
and meeting with a Strong Currant which as wee Judged Satt N.E. into a
bay, wee fell in with a small Island about five Miles round, in the
lattd. of 7 deg. 40' So. and about 12 leagues off the Maine shoare. to
thiss Island our Prissnars tolde us severall Barkques came to for
pretious Stones, which weir to be found their. Due East from thiss key
lieth Another which is Inhabbited, 7 leagues from thiss key and 5
leagues from the maine or Trucksilly,[68] which is a towne wheir is
water, and on thiss key cattle; aboundance of Fish is made here. Wee
Just weatherd the small Rockey key on which the Pretious Stones are
founde; wee had the wind att S. and B.E. and S.S.E., a fine topp saile
gaile and fair weather. wee Steares away N. and b.E. to make Point
Sta. Alena, the Point that is before discourst of, that makes the
Northermost Point of the River Yakeell. the next day was upp with the
Isle of Plate, which lieth in South lattd. about 50'. then the Party
thatt resolved to goe over land, began to provide for Vittuall. their
was about 56 of them, which carried away what thay had. thay had a
launch and two cannoes. itt was on Sunday, after wee had din'd with
what wee had, which was att that time onely bread and water. and now
being under the Equinoctiall about a ii leagues from Shore wee [saw]
Mount a Christo plaine,[69] that lieth some leagues in the cuntry, The
Mount bore of us E.S.E. these poore men when parted from us had about
5 leagues to goe, before could Conveniently Land, for wild Indians and
negro's, which by shipping formerly their was cast away, and since
grone very Populus and Barberous, As we wear inform'd by our
Prissnors. thay did intend to take thiss island of ---- or Cork
Island, which lieth in the bay of the Gorgony. now thay being gon both
parties wear much troubled att the parting, Yett the party that went
away would have staied in case Sharpe had nott beene made capt., for
thay could not by any meanes allow of him to be capt. more of us would
have gon away, Butt capt. Sharpe sends his Master to us who spoke
thuss (his Name was Jno. Cooxe), "Gentmen, capt. Sharpe doth declair
and swair that those men that will stay with him and goe about in the
shipp with him by water, that he will make them a Voyage, and doe the
uttmost of his power to gett money Enough, and will not have thoughts
of goeing out of these till every man is willing." soe wee consider'd
our shipp was foule. wee that stayed wear about 61 soles in number.
with the advise of capt. Batt. Sharpe was resolved to run downe to
Pennamau, and to leeward, to finde some private place to cleane our
shipp in, and to take her one deck lower. wee searching of some
Spanish Jurnalls findds mention of an Island lieing to the No'ward in
8 degrees called the Island of canes, wheir wee found thiss Isle of
Canes;[70] and by our observacion lieth in North lattitude, 7 deg. 30'.
their is good wooding and watering butt no secure place for a shipp to
ride in, without very good Anchors and Cables, which wee att that time
was Ill provided with. wee staied here 3 dayes and killed one sow and
Pigg and fill'd water. here are good large Oysters. so wee sett saile
with full intencion to goe into the Gulph of Dulce,[71] if wee could
find itt, but wee stearing away N.W. about 33 English legs from thiss
Isle of Canes, which Island lieth 5 legs from the Maine shore, and
comeing in with the land saw a brave deepe gulph, which concluded was
a good Place for us to cleane Our shipp, hopeing that their might be
no Inhabitance. Into which gulph we rann, by sounding of our leade so
farr as wee could, Except wee had had a Pilott for that place. wee