[ch6 is page 130-160] 130 An. 1684 CHAP. VI. They depart from Amapalla. Tornadoes. Cape St. Francisco. They meet Captain Eaton, and part again. Isle of Plata described. Another meeting with Capt. Eaton, and their finalpart- ing. Point Sancta Hellena. Algatrane a fort of Tar. A Spanish Wreck. Cruisings. Manta, near Cape St. Lorenzo. Monte Christo. Crui- sings. Cape Blanco. Payta. The Buildings in Peru. The Soil of Peru. Colan. Bark- logs described. Piura. The Road of Payta.Lobos de Terra. They come again to Lobosde la Mar. The Bay of Guiaquil. Isle ofSancta Clara. A rich Spanish Wreck there.Cat-fish. Point Arena in the Isle Puna. TheIsland described. The Palmeto-tree. Townand Harbour of Puna. River of Guiaquil.Guiaquil Town. Its Commodities, Cacao,Sarsaparilla, Quito cloth. Of the City, andGold, and Air of Quito. They enter the Bayin order to make an attempt on the Town ofGuiaquil. A great advantage slipt that mighthave been made of a company of Negroes takenin Guiaquil River. They go to Plata again.Isle Plata.[---+++]THE third day of September 1684. we sent theFrier ashore, and left the Indians in possessionof the Prize which we brought in hither, thoughshe was still half laden with Flower, and we failed out with the Land Wind, passing between Amapalla and [+++---] 131 An.1684 Tornadoes. and Mangera. When we were a league out we saw a Canoa coming with Sail and Oars after us; there- fore we shortened Sail and staid for her. She was a Canoa sent by the Governor of St. Michaels Town to our Captain, desiring him not to carry away the Frier. The Messenger being told, that the Frier was set ashore again at Amapalla, he returned with joy, and we made Sail again, having the Wind at W. N. W. We steered towards the Coast of Peru: we had Tornadoes every day till we made Cape St. Francisco, which from June to November are very common on these Coasts; and we had with the Tornadoes very much Thunder, Lightning and Rain. When the Tornadoes were over, the Wind, which while they lasted was most from the South East, came about again to the West, and never failed us till we were in sight of Cape St. Francisco, where we found the Wind at South with fair weather. This Cape is in lat. 01 d. 00 North. It is a high bluff, or full point of Land, clothed with tall great Trees. Passing by this Point coming from the North you will see a small low Point, which you might suppose to be the Cape; but you are then past it, and presently after- wards it appears with three points. The Land in the Country within this Cape is very high, and the Mountains commonly appear very black. When we came in with this Cape we overtook Captain Ea- ton, plying under the shore: he in his passage from Amapalla, while he was on that Coast, met with such terrible Tornadoes of Thunder and Lightning, that as he and all his Men related, they had never met with the like in any place. They were very much af- frighted by them, the Air smelling very much of Sulphur, and they apprehending themselves in great danger of being burnt by the Lightning. He touch'd at the Island Cocos, and put ashore 200 Packs of Flower there, and loaded his Boat with Coco Nuts, and took in fresh water. In the evening we sepa- rated [---+++]rated again from Captain Eaton; for he stood off to Sea, and we plied up under the shore, making our best advantage both of Sea and Land Winds. The Sea Winds are here at South, the Land Winds at S. S. E. but sometimes when we came abreast of a River we should have the Wind at S. E. The 20th day of September we came to the Island Plata, and anchored in 16 fathom. We had very good weather from the time that we fell in with Cape St. Francisco; and were now fallen in again with the same places from whence I begin the ac- count of this Voyage in the first Chapter, having now compassed in the whole Continent of the South America. [---+++] The Island Plata, as some report, was so named by the Spaniards, after Sir Francis Drake took the Caofoga, a Ship chiefly laden with Plate, which they say he brought hither and divided it here with his Men. It is about 4 mile long, and a mile and half broad, and of a good heighth. It is bounded with high steep Cliffs clear round, only at one place on the East side. The top of it is flat and even, the Soil sandy and dry: the Trees it produceth are but small bodied, low, and grow thin; and there are only 3 or 4 sorts of Trees all unknown to us. I observed they were much overgrown with long Moss. There is good Grass, especially in the be- ginning of the year. There is no Water on this Island but at one place on the East side close by the Sea; there it drills slowly down from the Rocks, where it may be received into Vessels. There was plenty of Goats, but they are now all destroyed. There is no other sort of Land Animal that I did ever see: here are plenty of Boobies and Men of War Birds. The anchoring place is on the East side, near the middle of the Island, close by the shore, within two Cables lengths of the sandy Bay: there is about 18 or 20 fathom good fast oazy ground, and smooth Water; for [+++---]133 An.1684 Point St. Hellena. for the S. E. point of the Island shelters from the South Winds which constantly blow here. From the S. E. point there strikes out a small shoal a quar- ter of a mile into the Sea, where there is commonly a great Riplin, or working of short Waves, during all the Flood. The Tide runs pretty strong, the Flood to the South, and the Ebb to the North. There is good landing on the Sandy Bay against the an- choring place, from whence you may go up into the Island, and at no place besides. There are 2 or 3 high, steep, small Rocks at the S. E. point, not a Cables length from the Island; and another much bigger at the N. E. end: it is deep Water all round, but at the anchoring place, and at the shoal at the S. E point. This Island lieth in lat. 01 d. 10 m. South. It is distant from Cape St. Lorenzo 4 or 5 leagues, bearing from it W.S.W. and half a point westerly. At this Island are plenty of those small Sea Turtle spoken of in my last Chapter. [---+++] The 21st day Captain Eaton came to an anchor by us: he was very willing to have consorted with us again; but Captain Davis's Men were so unrea- fonable, that they would not allow Captain Eaton's Men an equal share with them in what they got: therefore Captain Eaton staid here but one night, and the next day failed from hence, steering away to the Southward. We staid no longer than the day ensuing, and then we failed toward Point St. Hellena, intending there to land some Men purposely to get Prisoners for intelligence. [---+++] Point Santa Hellena bears South from the Island Plata. It lies in lat. 2 d. 15 m. South. The Point is pretty high, flat, and even at top; overgrown with many great Thistles, but no sort of Tree; at a distance it appears like an Island, because the Land within it is very low. [---+++] This Point strikes out West into the Sea, making a pretty large Bay on the North side. A mile within the Point [+++---] 134 An.1684 St. Hellena Village. Algatrane. Point, on the Sandy Bay, close by the Sea, there is a poor small Indian Village, called Sancta Hellena; the Land about it is low, sandy and barren, there are no Trees nor Grass growing near it; neither do the Indians produce any Fruit, Grain, or Plant, but Water-Melons only, which are large and very sweet. There is no fresh Water at this place, nor near it; therefore the Inhabitants are obliged to fetch all their Water from the River Colanche, which is in the bottom of the Bay, about 4 leagues from it. Not far from this Town on the Bay, close by the Sea, about 5 paces from high-water mark, there is a fort of bituminous matter boils out of a little hole in the earth. It is like thin Tar; the Spaniards call it Alga- trane. By much boiling it becomes hard like Pitch. It is frequently used by the Spaniards instead of Pitch; and the Indians that inhabit here save it in Jars. It boils up most at high water; and. then the Indians are ready to receive it. These Indians are Fishermen, and go out to Sea on Bark-logs. Their chief subsistence is Maiz, most of which they get from Ships that come hither for Algatrane. There is good anchoring to leeward of the Point, right against the Village: but on the West side of the Point it is deep Water, and no anchoring. The Spaniards do report, that there was once a very rich Ship driven ashore here in calm, for want of Wind to work her. Assoon as ever she struck she heel'd off to Sea, and fill'd with Water presently, and then slid off to 7 or 8 fathom Water, where she lies to this day; none having attempted to fish for her, because she lies deep, and there falls in here a great high Sea. When we were abreast of this Point, we sent away our Canoas in the night to take the Indian Village. They landed in the morning betimes close by the Town, and took some Prisoners. They took likewise a small Bark which the Indians had set on fire, but our Men quenched it, and took the Indian that did it; who [+++---]135 An.1684 Manta. who being asked wherefore he set the Bark on fire, said, That there was an Order from the Vice-Roy lately set out, commanding all Sea-men to burn their Vessels if attacked by us, and betake them- selves to their Boats. There was another Bark in a small Cove, a mile from the Village, thither our men went, thinking to take her, but the Sea-men that were aboard set her in flames and fled: In the evening our men came aboard, and brought the small Bark with them, the fire of which they had quenched; and then we returned again towards Plata; where we arriv'd the 26th day of Sep- tember. [---+++]In the evening we sent out some men in our Bark lately taken, and Canoas, to an Indian Village called Manta, 2 or 3 leagues to the Westward of Cape St. Lorenzo; hoping there to get other Priso- ners, for we could not learn from those we took at Point St. Hellena the reason why the Vice-Roy should give such orders to burn the Ships. They had a fresh Sea-breeze till 12 a clock at night, and then it proved Calm; wherefore they rowed away with their Canoas as near to the Town as they thought convenient, and lay still till day. [---+++]Manta is a small Indian Village on the Main, di- ftant from the Island Plata 7 or 8 leagues. It stands so advantageously to be seen, being built on a small ascent, that it makes a very fair prospect to the Sea; yet but a few poor scattering Indian houses. There is a very fine Church, adorned with a great deal of Carved work. It was formerly a habitation of Spa- niards; but they are all removed from hence now. The Land about it is dry and sandy, bearing only a few shrubby Trees. These Indians plant no man- ner of Grain or Root, but are supplied from other places; and commonly keep a stock of Provision to relieve Ships that want; for this is the first Settle- ment that Ships can touch at, which come from Pa- nama, [+++---]136 An.1684 Monte-Christo nama, bound to Lima, or any other Port in Peru. The Land being dry and sandy, is not fit to pro- duce Crops of Maize; which is the reason they plant none. There is a spring of good Water be- tween the Village and the Seas. [---+++] On the back of the Town, a pretty way up in the Country, there is a very high Mountain, towr- ing up like a Sugar-loaf, called Monte-Christo. It is a very good Sea-mark, for there is none like it on all the Coast. The body of this Mountain bears due South from Manta. About a mile and half from the Shore, right against the Village, there is a Rock, which is very dangerous, because it never appears above water; neither doth the Sea break on it, be- cause here is seldom any great Sea: yet it is now so well known, that all Ships bound to this place do easily avoid it. A mile within this Rock there is good Anchoring, in 6, 8, or 10 fathom Water, good, hard Sand and clear ground: And a mile from the Road on the West side there is a shoal run- ning out a mile into the Sea. From Manta to Cape St. Lorenzo the Land is plain and even, of an indif- ferent heighth. See a further account of these Coasts in the Appendix. [---+++]As soon as ever the day appear'd our men landed, and march'd towards the Village, which was about a mile and a half from their Landing-place: Some of the Indians who were stirring, saw them coming, and alarmed their Neighbours; so that all that were able got away. They took only two old Women, who both said, that it was reported that a great ma- ny Enemies were come over land thro the Coun- try of Darien into the South Seas; and that they were at present in Canoas and Periagoes: and that the Vice-Roy upon this news had set out the fore-men- tioned order for burning their own ships. Our men found no sort of provision here; the Vice-Roy having likewise sent orders to all Sea-ports to keep [+++---] 137 An.1684 Capt. Swan. keep no provision, but just to supply themselves. These Women also said, that the Manta Indians were sent over to the Island Plata, to destroy all the Goats there; which they performed about a month agone: With this news our men returned again, and arriv'd at Plata the next day. [---+++] We lay still at the Island Plata, being not resolved what to do; till the 2d day of October: and then Captain Swan in the Cygnet of London arriv'd there. He was fitted out by very eminent Merchants of that City, on a design only to trade with the Spani- ards or Indians, having a very considerable Cargo well forted for these parts of the World; but meeting with divers disappointments, and being out of hopes to obtain a trade in these Seas, his men forc'd him to entertain a company of Privateers which he met with near Nicoya, a Town whither he was going to seek a Trade, and these Privateers were bound thi- ther in Boats to get a Ship. These were the men that we had heard of at Manta; they came over land under the command of Captain Peter Harris, Nephew to that Captain Harris who was kill'd be- fore Panama. Captain Swan was still Commander of his own Ship, and Captain Harris commanded a small Bark under Captain Swan. There was much joy on all sides when they arriv'd; and immediate- ly hereupon Captain Davis and Captain Swan con- forted, wishing for Captain Eaton again. Our little Bark, which was taken at Santa Hellena, was imme- diately sent out to cruize, while the Ships were fit- ting; for Captain Swan's Ship being full of goods, was not fit to entertain his new guest, till the goods were dispos'd of; therefore he by the consent of the Super- cargo's, got up all his goods on Deck, and sold to any one that would buy upon trust: the rest was thrown over-board into the Sea, except fine goods, as Silks, Muslins, Stockings, &c. and except the Iron, whereof he had a good quantity, both wrought and [+++---] 138 An.1684 Cape Blanco. and in Bars: This was saved for Ballast. The third day after our Bark was sent to cruize, she brought in a Prize of 400 Tuns, laden with Timber: They took her in the Bay of Guiaquil; she came from a Town of that name, and was bound to Lima. The Commander of this Prize said that it was generally reported and believed at Guiaquil, that the Vice-Roy was fitting out 10 sail of Frigots to drive us out of the Seas. This news made our unsettled Crew wish, that they had been perswaded to accept of Captain Eaton's company on reasonable terms. Captain Davis and Captain Swan had some discourse concerning Captain Eaton; they at last concluded to send our small Bark towards the Coast of Lima, as far as the Island Lobos, to seek Captain Eaton. This being approved by all hands, she was cleaned the next day, and sent away, mann'd with 20 men, 10 of Captain Davis, and 10 of Swan's men: and Captain Swan writ a Letter directed to Captain Ea- ton, desiring his company, and the Isle of Plata was appointed for the general Rendezvous. When this Bark was gone, we turn'd another Bark which we had into a Fire-ship; having 6 or 7 Carpenters, who soon fixt her: and while the Carpenters were at work about the Fire-ship, we scrubb'd and clean'd our Men of War, as well as time and place would permit. [---+++]The 19th day of October we finish'd our business, and the 20th day we fail'd toward the Island Lobos, where our Bark was order'd to stay for us, or meet us again at Plata. We had but little Wind; there- fore it was the 23d day before we passed by Point St. Hellena. The 25th day we crossed over the Bay of Guiaquil. The 30th day we doubled Cape Blanco. This Cape is in lat. 3 d. 45 m. It is counted the worst Cape in all the South Seas to double, passing to the Southward; for in all other places Ships may stand off to Sea 20 or 30 leagues off, if they find they cannot [+++---]139 An.1684 Payta. The Buildings in Peru. cannot get any thing under the shore; but here they dare not do it: for, by relation of the Spani- ards, they find a current setting N. W. which will carry a Ship off more in 2 hours, than they can run in again in 5. Besides, setting to the Northward they lose ground: therefore they alway beat it up under the shore, which oft-times they find very difficult, because the wind commonly blows very strong at S. S. W. or S. by W. without altering; for here are never any Land-winds. This Cape is of an indifferent heighth: It is fenced with white Rocks to the Sea; for which reason, I believe, it hath this name: The Land in the Country seems to be full of high, steep, rugged and barren Rocks. [---+++]The 2d day of November we got as high as Payta: We lay about 6 leagues off shore all the day, that the Spaniards might not see us; and in the evening sent our Canoas ashore to take it, mann'd with 110 men. [---+++]Payta is a small Spanish Sea-port Town in the lat. of 5 d. 15 m. It is built on the Sand, close by the Sea, in a nook, elbow, or small bay, under a pret- ty high hill. There are not above 75 or 80 Houses, and 2 Churches. The Houses are but low and ill built. The building in this Country of Peru is much alike, on all the Sea-coast. The Walls are built of Brick, made with Earth and Straw kneaded toge- ther: They are about 3 foot long, 2 foot broad, and a foot and half thick: They never burn them, but lay them a long time in the Sun to dry before they are used in building. In some places they have no roofs, only poles laid across from the side walls, and cover'd with matts; and then those walls are carry'd up to a considerable heighth. But where they build roofs upon their Houses, the walls are not made so high, as I said before. The Houses in general all over this Kingdom are but meanly built: one chief reason, with the common people especi- ally, [+++---]140 An.1684 The Soil and Buildings of Peru. ally, is the want of materials to build withal; for however it be more within Land, yet here is nei- ther Stone nor Timber, to build with, nor any mate- rials but such Brick as I have described: and even the Stone which they have in some places is so brit- tle, that you may rub it into Sand with your fingers. Another reason why they build so meanly is, be- cause it never rains; therefore they only endeavour to fence themselves from the Sun. Yet their walls, which are built but with an ordinary sort of Brick, in comparison with what is made in other parts of the world, continue a long time as firm as when first made, having never any winds nor rains, to rot, moulder, or shake them. However, the richer sort have Timber, which they make use of in build- ing; but it is brought from other places. [---+++]This dry Country commences to the Northward, from about Cape Blanco to Coquimbo in about 30 d. S. having no Rain that I could ever observe or hear of; nor any green thing growing in the Mountains: nei- ther yet in the Valleys, except where here and there water'd with a few small Rivers dispers'd up and down. So that the Northernmost parts of this Tract of Land are supplied with Timber from Guiaquil, Galleo, Tornato, and other places that are watered with Rains; where there are plenty of all sort of Timber. In the South parts, as about Guafco and Coquimbo, they fetch their Timber from the Island Chiloe, or other places thereabouts. The walls of Churches and rich mens Houses are whitened with Lime, both within and without; and the doors and posts are very large, and adorned with carved work, and the beams also in the Churches: The inside of the Houses, are hung round with rich embroydered, or painted Cloaths. They have likewise abundance of fine Pictures, which adds no small ornament to their House: these, I suppose, they have from Old Spain. But the Houses of Payta are none of them so 141 An.1684 Payta. Colan. Bark-logs. so richly furnished. The Churches were large and fairly carved: At one end of the Town there was a small Fort close by the Sea, but no great Guns in it. This Fort, only with Musquets, will command all the Bay, so as to hinder any Boats from landing. There is another Fort on the top of the Hill, just over the Town, which commands both it and the lower Fort. There is neither Wood nor Water to be had here: They fetch their Water from an Indi- an Town called Colan, about 2 leagues N. N. E. from Payta: for at Colan there is a small River of fresh Water, which runs out into the Sea; from whence Ships that touch at Payta are supplied with Water and other refreshments, as Fowls, Hogs, Plantains, Yams, and Maize: Payta being destitute of all these things, only as they fetch them from Colan, as they have occasion. [---+++] The Indians of Colan are all Fisher-men: They go out to Sea and fish on Bark-logs. Bark-logs are made of many round logs of Wood in manner of a Raft, and very different according to the use that they are design'd for, or the humour of the people that make them, or the matter that they are made of. If they are made for Fishing, then they are on- ly 3 or 4 logs of Light-wood, of 7 or 8 foot long, plac'd by the side of each other, pinn'd fast together with wooden pins, and bound hard with withes. The Logs are so plac'd, that the middlemost are longer than those by the sides, especially at the head or fore-part, which grows narrower gradually into an angle or point, the better to cut through the Water. Others are made to carry Goods: The bot- tom of these is made of 20 or 25 great Trees of a- bout 20, 30, or 40 foot long, fasten'd as the other, side to side, and so shaped: On the top of these they place another shorter row of Trees across them, pinn'd fast to each other, and then pinn'd to the un- dermost row: this double row of planks makes the bottom [+++---] 142 An.1684 Bark logs described. bottom of the Float, and of a considerable breadth. From this bottom the Raft is raised to about 10 foot higher, with rows of Posts sometimes set upright and supporting a floor or two: but those I observ'd were rais'd by thick Trees laid across each other, as in Wood Piles; only not close together as in the bottom of the Float, but at the ends and sides only; so as to leave the middle all hollow like a Chamber; except that here and there a beam goes across it, to keep the Float more compact. In this hollow, at about 4 foot heighth from the beams at the bottom, they lay small poles along, and close together, to make a floor for another Room, on the top of which also they lay another such floor made of Poles: and the entrances into both these Rooms is only by creep- ing between the great traverse Trees which make the Walls of this Sea-house. The lowest of these stories serves as a Cellar: there they lay great Stones for Ballast, and their Jars of fresh-water closed up, and whatever may bear being wet: for by the weight of the Ballast and Cargo, the bottom of this Room and of the whole Vessel is sunk so deep, as to lye 2 or 3 feet within the surface of the Water. The second story is for the Sea-men, and their ne- cessaries. Above this second story the Goods are stowed, to what heighth they please, usually about 8 or 10 feet, and kept together by poles set upright quite round: only there is a little space abaft for the Steers-man (for they have a large Rudder) and afore for the Fire-hearth, to dress their Victuals, especial- ly when they make long Voyages, as from Lima to Truxillo, or Guiaquil, or Panama; which last Voyage is 5 or 600 leagues. In the midst of all, among the Goods, rises a Mast, to which is fasten'd a large Sail, as in our West-Country Barges in the Thames. They always go before the Wind, being unable to ply against it: and therefore are fit only for these Seas, where the Wind is always in a manner the same, [+++---] 143 An.1684 Single Bark-logs. Piura. fame, not varying above a point or two all the way from Lima, till such time as they come into the Bay of Panama: and even there they meet with no great Sea; but sometimes Northerly winds: and then they lower their Sails, and drive before it, waiting a change. All their care then is only to keep off from Shore; for they are so made that they cannot sink at Sea. These Rafts carry 60 or 70 Tuns of Goods and upwards; their Cargo is chiefly Wine, Oyl, Flower, Sugar, Quito-cloath, Soap, Goat-skins dreft, &c. The Float is manag'd usually by 3 or 4 Men, who being unable to return with it against the Trade-wind, when they come to Panama dispose of the goods and bottom together; getting a passage back again for themselves in some Ship or Boat bound to the Port they came from; and there they make a new Bark-log for their next Cargo. [---+++] The smaller sort of Bark-logs, described before, which lye flat on the Water, and are used for Fish- ing, or carrying Water to Ships, or the like (half a Tun or a Tun at a time) are more governable than the other, tho they have Masts and Sails too. With these they go out at night by the help of the Land- wind (which is seldom wanting on this Coast) and return back in the day time with the Sea-wind. [---+++] This sort of Floats are used in many places both in the East and West Indies. On the Coast of Coro- mandel in the East Indies they call them Catamarans. These are but one Log, or two sometimes, of a sort of light Wood, and are made without Sail or Rud- der, and so small, that they carry but one Man, whose legs and breech are always in the Water, and he manages his Log with a Paddle, appearing at a distance like a Man sitting on a Fish's back. [---+++] The Country about Payta is mountainous and bar- ren, like all the rest of the Kingdom of Peru. There is no Towns of consequence nearer it than Piura, which is a large Town in the Country 40 miles dis- tant. [+++---] 144 An.1684 Piura. Payta. tant. It lieth, by report of our Spanish Prisoners; in a Valley, which is watered with a small River, that disembogues it self into the Bay of Chirapee, in about 7d. of North latitude. This Bay is nearer to Piura than Payta: yet all Goods imported by Sea for Piura are landed at Payta; for the Bay of Chirapee is full of dangerous shoals, and therefore not frequented by shipping. The Road of Payta is one of the best on the Coast of Peru. It is sheltered from the South- west by a point of Land, which makes a large Bay and smooth Water for Ships to ride in. There is room enough for a good Fleet of Ships, and good anchoring in any depth, from 6 fathom water to 20 fathom. Right against the Town, the nearer the Town the shallower the water, and the smoother the riding: it is clean Sand all over the Bay. Most Ships passing either to the North or the South touch at this place for water; for tho here is none at the Town, yet those Indian Fishermen of Colan will, and do supply all Ships very reasonably; and good wa- ter is much prized on all this Coast through the fear- city of it. [---+++] November the 3d, at 6 a clock in the morning, our Men landed, about 4 miles to the South of the Town, and took some Prisoners that were sent thi- ther to watch for fear of us; and these Prisoners said, that the Governor of Piura came with 100 armed Men to Payta the night before, purposely to oppose our landing there if we should attempt it. [---+++] Our Men marched directly to the Fort on the Hill, and took it without the loss of one Man. Here- upon the Governor of Piura with all his Men, and the Inhabitants of the Town, ran away as fast as they could. Then our Men entered the Town, and found it emptied both of Money and Goods; there was not so much as a Meal of Victuals left for them. [---+++] The Prisoners told us a Ship had been here a lit- tle before and burnt a great Ship in the Road, but did [+++---] 145 An.1684 Isle of Lobos de Terra. did not land their Men; and that here they put a- shore all their Prisoners and Pilots. We knew this must be Captain Eaton's Ship which had done this, and by these circumstances we supposed he was gone to the East Indies, it being always designed by him. The Prisoners told us also, that since Captain Ea- ton was here, a small Bark had been off the Harbor, and taken a pair of Bark-logs fishing, and made the Fishermen bring aboard 20 or 30 Jars of fresh water. This we supposed was our Bark that was sent to the Lobos to seek Captain Eaton. [---+++] In the evening we came in with our Ships, and anchored before the Town in 10 fathom water, near a mile from the shore. Here we staid till the sixth day, in hopes to get a Ransom for the Town. Our Captains demanded 300 Packs of Flower, 3000 pound of Sugar, 25 Jars of Wine, and 1000 Jars of Water to be brought off to us; but we got nothing of it. Therefore Captain Swan ordered the Town to be fir'd, which was presently done. Then all our Men came aboard, and Captain Swan ordered the Bark which Captain Harris commanded to be burnt, because she did not sail well. [---+++] At night, when the Land Wind came off, we sailed from hence towards Lobos. The 10th day in the evening we saw a Sail bearing N. W. by N. as far as we could well discern her on our Deck. We im- mediately chased, separating our selves, the better to meet her in the night; but we mist her. There- fore the next morning we again trimmed sharp, and made the best of our way to the Lobos de la Mar. [---+++] The 14th day we had sight of the Island Lobos de Terra: it bore East from us; we stood in towards it, and betwixt 7 and 8 a clock in the night came to an anchor at the N. E. end of the Island in 14 fathom water. This Island at Sea is of an indifferent height, and appears like Lobos de la Mar. About a quarter of a mile from the North end there is a great hollow Rock [+++---] 146 An.1684 Lobos de la Mar, again. Rock and a good Channel between, where there is 7 fathom water. The 15th day we went ashore, and found abundance of Penguins and Boobies, and Seal in great quantities. We sent aboard of all these to be drest, for we had not tasted any flesh in a great while before; therefore some of us did eat very heartily. Captain Swan, to encourage his Men to eat this course flesh, would commend it for extraor- dinary good food, comparing the Seal to roasting Pig, the Boobies to Hens, and the Penguins to Ducks: this he did to train them to live contentedly on course Meat, not knowing but we might be forced to make use of such food before we departed out of these Seas; for it is generally seen among Privateers, that nothing imboldens them sooner to mutiny than want, which we could not well suffer in a place where there are such quantities of these Ani- mals to be had, if Men could be persuaded to be contented with them. [---+++] In the afternoon we sailed from Lobos de Terra with the Wind at S. by E. and arrived at Lobos de la Mar on the 19th day. Here we found a Letter, left by our Bark that was sent to seek Captain Eaton, by which we understood, that Captain Eaton had been there, but was gone before they arriv'd, and had left no Letter to advise us which way he was gone; and that our Bark was again returned to Plata, in hopes to find us there, or meet us by the way, else resolving to stay for us there. We were sorry to hear that Captain Eaton was gone, for now we did not ex- pect to meet with him any more in these Seas. [---+++] The 21st day we sent out our Moskito Strikers for Turtle, who brought aboard enough to serve both Ships Companies; and this they did all the time that we abode here. While we lay at this Island, Captain Swan made new yards, squarer than those he had before, and made his Sails larger, and our Ships Company in the mean time split plank for Fire- [+++---] 147 An.1684 Bay of Guiaquil. Isle of St. Clara. Fire-wood, and put aboard as many plank as we could conveniently stow, for other uses: Here be- ing plank enough of all sorts, which we had brought hither in the first Prize that we took, and left here. [---+++] The 26th day in the evening, we saw a small Bark about 3 leagues N. N. W. from the Island, but we supposing her to be our own Bark, did not go after her. The next morning she was 2 leagues South of the Island, standing off to Sea; but we did not now chace her neither, although we knew she was not our Bark; for being to Windward of us, she could have made her escape, if we had chased her. This Bark, as we were afterward informed, was sent out purposely to see if we were at this Island. Her orders were, not to come too near, only to ap- pear in fight; they supposing that if we were here we should soon be after her; as indeed it was a won- der we had not chaced her: but our not doing so, and lying close under the Island undiscern'd by them, was a great occasion of our coming upon Puna after- wards unexpectedly, they being now without fear of any Enemy so near them. [---+++] The 28th day we scrubd our Ships bottomis, in- tending to sail the next day towards Guiaquil; it be- ing concluded upon to attempt that Town before we returned again to Plata. Accordingly, on the 29th day in the morning, we loosed from hence, steering directly for the Bay of Guiaquil. This Bay runs in between Cape Blanco on the South side, and Point Chandy on the North. About 25 leagues from Cape Blanco, near the bottom of the Bay, there is a small Island called Santa Clara, which lies East and West: It is of an indifferent length, and it appears like a dead Man stretched out in a Shroud: The East end represents the Head, and the West end the Feet. Ships that are bound into the Rive. of Guia- quil pass on the South side, to avoid the shoals which lie on the North side of it; whereon formerly Ships L 2 have [+++---] 148 An.1684 A rich Wreck. Cat-fish. have been lost. It is reported by the Spaniards, that there is a very rich Wreck lies on the North side of that Island, not far from it; and that some of the Plate hath been taken up by one who came from Old Spain, with a Patent from the King to fish in those Seas for Wrecks; but he dying, the Project ceas'd, and the Wreck still remains as he left it; on- ly the Indians by stealth do sometimes take up some of it: and they might have taken up much more, if it were not for the Catfish which swarm hereabouts. [---+++] The Catfish is much like a Whiting, but the Head is flatter and bigger. It hath a great wide Mouth, and certain small Strings pointing out from each side of it, like Cats Whiskers: and for that reason it is called a Catfish. It hath three Fins; one growing on the top of his back, and one on either side. Each of these Fins hath a stiff sharp bone, which is very ve- nemous if it strikes into a mans flesh: therefore it is dangerous diving where many of these Fish are. The Indians that adventured to search this wreck, have to their sorrow experienc'd it; some having loft their lives, others the use of their limbs by it: this we were informed by an Indian, who himself had been fishing on it by stealth. I my self have known some white men that have loft the use of their hands, only by a small prick with the fin of these Fish: therefore when we catch them with a Hook, we tread on them to take the Hook out of their mouths, for otherwise, in flurting about (as all Fish will when first taken) they might acciden- tally strike their sharp Fins into the hands of those that caught them. Some of these Fish are 7 or 8 pound weight; some again, in some particular places, are none of them bigger than a Man's Thumb, but their Fins are all alike venemous. They use to be at the mouths of Rivers, or where there is much Mud and Oaze, and they are found all over the American Coast, both in the North and South Seas, at least [+++---] 149 An.1684 Punta Arena. Puna. least in the hot Countreys, as also in the East Indies: where sailing with Captain Minchin among certain Islands near the Streights of Malacca, he pointed to an Island, at which he told me he lost the use of his hand by one of these, only in going to take the Hook out of its mouth. The wound was scarce visible, yet his Hand was much swoln, and the pain lasted about 9 weeks; during most part of which the raging heat of it was almost ready to distract him. However, though the bony Fins of these Fish are so venemous, yet the Bones in their bodies are not so; at least we never perceived any such effect in eating the Fish; and their Flesh is very sweet, delicious and whole- some Meat. [---+++] From the Island Santa Clara to Punta Arena is 7 leagues E. N. E. This Punta Arena, or Sandy Point, is the westermost point of the Island Puna. Here all Ships bound into the River of Guiaquil anchor, and must wait for a Pilot, the entrance being very dan- gerous for Strangers. [---+++] The Island Puna is a pretty large flat low Island, stretching East and West about 12 or 14 leagues long, and about 4 or 5 leagues wide. The Tide runs very strong all about this Island, but so many different ways, by reason of the Branches, Creeks, and Rivers that run into the Sea near it, that it casts up many dangerous shoals on all sides of it. There is in the Island only one Indian Town on the South side of it, close by the Sea, and 7 leagues from Point Arena, which Town is also called Puna. The Indians of this Town are all Seamen, and are the only Pi- lots in these Seas, especially for this River. Their chiefest employment, when they are not at Sea, is fishing. These men are oblig'd by the Spaniards to keep good watch for Ships that Anchor at Point Are- na, which, as I said before, is 7 leagues from the Town Puna. The place where they keep this watch is at a Point of Land on the Island Puna, that ſtarts out [+++---] 150 An.1684 Palmeto tree. out into the Sea; from whence they can see all Ships that anchor at Point Arena. The Indians come thither in the morning, and return at night on Horse-back. From this watching point to Point Arena it is 4 leagues, all drowned Mangrove-land; and in the midway between these two Points is ano- ther small Point, where these Indians are oblig'd to keep another Watch, when they fear an Enemy. The Centinel goes thither in a Canoa in the morn- ing, and returns at night; for there is no coming thither by Land, through that Mangrove marshy ground. The middle of the Island Puna is Savannah or pasture. There are some ridges of good Wood- land, which is of a light yellow or sandy mould, producing large tall Trees, most unknown even to Travellers: But there are plenty of Palmeto Trees, which, because I am acquainted with, I shall de- scribe. The Palmeto Tree is about the bigness of an ordinary Ash: It is about 30 foot high; the body streight, without any limb, or branch, or leaf, ex- cept at the head only, where it spreads forth into many small branches, not half so big as a mans arm, some no bigger than ones finger: These branches, are about 3 or 4 foot long, clear from any knot: At the end of the branch there groweth one broad leaf, about the bigness of a large Fan. This, when it first shoots forth, grows in folds, like a Fan when it is closed; and still as it grows bigger so it opens, till it becomes like a Fan spread abroad. It is strengthned towards the stalk with many small ribs springing from thence, and growing into the leaf; which as they grow near the end of the leaf, grow thinner and smaller. The Leaves that make the brush part of the Flag-brooms which are brought in- to England, grow just in this manner; and are in- deed a small kind of Palmeto; for there are of them of several dimensions. In Bermudas, and elsewhere, they make Hats, Baskets, Brooms, Fans to blow the 151 An. 1684 Houfes of Puna. Guiaquil River. the fire inftead of Bellows, with many other Houfe- Implements, of Palmeto-Leaves. On the ridges where thefe Trees grow, the Indians have here and there Plantations of Maiz, Yams and Potatoes. [---+++] There are in the Town of Puna about 20 Houfes, and a fmall Church. The Houfes ftand all on Pofts, 10 or 12 foot high, with Ladders on the outfide to go up into them. I did never fee the like buildings; any where but among the Malayans in the Eaft Indies. They are thatched with Palmeto-leaves, and their Chambers well boarded, in which laft they exceed the Malayans. The beft place for Ships to lye at an anchor is againft the middle of the Town. There is 5 fathom water within a Cables length of the fhore, and good foft deep Oaze where fhips may ca- reen, or hale afhore: it flows 15 or 16 foot water up and down. [---+++] From Puna to Guiaquil is reckoned 7 leagues It is one league before you come to the River of Guiaquil s mouth, where it is above two mile wide; from thence upwards the River lies pretty ftreight, with- out any confiderable turnings. Both fides of the Ri- ver are low fwampy Land, overgrown with Red Mangroves, fo that there is no landing. Four mile before you come to the Town of Guiaquil there is a low Ifland ftanding in the River. This Ifland di- vides the River into two parts, making two very fair Channels for Ships to pafs up and down. The S. W. Channel is the wideft; the other is as deep, but nar- rower and narrower yet, by reafon of many Trees and Bufhes, which fpread over the River, both from the Main and from the Ifland; and there are alfo feveral great ftumps of Trees ftanding upright in the Water, on either fide. The Ifland is above a mile long. From the upper part of the Ifland to the Town of Guiaquil is almoft a league, and near as much from one fide of the River to the other. In that fpacious place Ships of the greateft burthen may ride [+++---] 152 An. 1684 Guiaq. T. Cacao. Sarfaparilla. Quito-Cloth. ride afloat; but the beft place for Ships is neareft to that part of the Land where the Town ftands; and this place is feldom without Ships. Guiaquil ftands facing the Ifland, clofe by the River, partly on the fide, and partly at the foot of a gentle Hill decli- ning towards the River, by which the lower part of it is often overflown. There are two Forts, one ftanding in the low ground, the other on the hill. This Town makes a very fine profpect, it being beautified with feveral Churches and other good Buildings. Here lives a Governor, who, as I have been informed, hath his Patent from the King of Spain. Guiaquil may be reckoned one of the chiefeft Sea-Ports in the South Seas: The Commodities which are exported from hence are Cacao, Hides, Tallow, Sarfaparilla and other Drugs, and Woollen Cloath, commonly called Cloath of Quito. [---+++] The Cacao grows on both fides of the River a- bove the Town. It is a fmall Nut, like the Campea- chy Nut, I think the fmalleit of the two; they pro- duce as much Cacao here as ferves all the Kingdom of Peru; and much of it is fent to Acapulco, and from thence to the Phillipine Iflands. [---+++] Sarfaparilla grows in the Water by the fides of the River, as I have been informed. [---+++] The Quito-cloath comes from a rich Town in the Country within land called Quito. There is a great deal made, both Serges and Broad-cloath. This Cloath is not very fine, but is worn by the common fort of people throughout the whole Kingdom of Peru. This, and all other commodities which come from Quito, are fhipt off at Guiaquil for other parts; and all imported goods for the City of Quito pafs by Guiaquil: by which it may appear that Guia- quil is a place of no mean trade. [---+++] Quito, as I have been informed, is a very popu- lous City, feated in the heart of the Country. It is inhabited partly by Spaniards; but the major part of its [+++---] 153 An. 1684 Quito, its Gold, and bad Air. its Inhabitants are Indians, under the Spanifh Go- vernment. [---+++] It is environ'd with Mountains of a vaft heighth, from whofe bowels many great Rivers have their rife. Thefe Mountains abound in Gold, which by violent rains is wafh'd with the Sand into the adjacent Brooks; where the Indians refort in Troops, wafhing away the Sand, and putting up. the Gold-duft in their Calabafhes or Gourd Shells: But for the manner of gathering the Gold I refer you to Mr. Waffer's Book: Only I fhall remark here, that Quito is the place in all the Kingdom of Peru that abounds moft with this rich Metal, as I have been often informed. [---+++] The Country is fubject to great Rains, and very thick Fogs, efpecially the Valleys. For that reafon it is very unwholfome and fickly. The chiefeft Diftempers are Fevers, violent Head-ach, Pains in the Bowels, and Fluxes. I know no place where Gold is found but what is very unhealthy: as I fhall more particularly relate when I come to fpeak of Achin in the Ifle of Sumatra in the Eaft Indies. Guia- quil is not fo fickly as Quito and other Towns farther within Land; yet in comparifon with the Towns that are on the Coaft of Mare Pacifico, South of Cape Blanco, it is very fickly. [---+++] It was to this Town of Guiaquil that we were bound, therefore we left our Ships off Cape Blanco, and ran into the Bay of Guiaquil with our Bark and Canoas, fteering in for the Ifland Santa Clara, where we arrived the next day after we left our Ships: and from thence we fent away two Canoas the next evening to Point Arena. At this Point there are abundance of Oyfters, and other Shell-fifh, as Cockles and Mufcles; therefore the Indians of Puna often come hither to get thefe Fifh. Our Canoas got over before day, and abfconded in a Creek, to wait for the coming of the Puna Indians. The next morning fome [+++---] 154 An. 1684 Town of Guiaquil attempted. fome of them, according to their cuftom, came thither on Bark-logs, at the latter part of the Ebb, and were all taken by our Men. The next day, by their advice, the two Watchmen of the Indian Town Puna were taken by our Men, and all its Inhabitants, not one efcaping. The next Ebb they took a fmall Bark laden with Quito-cloath. She came from Guia- quil that Tide, and was bound to Lima; they having advice that we were gone off the Coaft, by the Bark which I faid we faw while we lay at the Ifland Lo- bos. The Mafter of this Cloath-bark informed our Men, that there were three Barks coming from Guia- quil, laden with Negroes: He faid they would come from thence the next Tide. The fame Tide of Ebb that they took the Cloath-bark they fent a Canoa to our Bark, where the biggeft part of the Men were, to haften them away with fpeed to the Indian Town. The Bark was now riding at Point Arena; and the next Flood fhe came with all the Men and the reft of the Canoas to Puna. The Tide of Flood being now far fpent, we lay at this Town till the laft of the Ebb, and then rowed away, leaving 5 Men a- board our Bark, who were ordered to lye ftill till 8 a clock the next morning, and not to fire at any Boat or Bark; but after that time they might fire at any object: for it was fuppofed that before that time we fhould be Mafters of Guiaquil. We had not rowed above two mile before we met, and took one of the three Barks laden with Negroes; the Mafter of her faid, that the other two would come from Guiaquil the next Tide of Ebb. We cut her Main-Maft down and left her at an Anchor. It was now ftrong Flood, and therefore we rowed with all fpeed to- wards the Town, in hopes to get thither before the Flood was down, but we found it farther than we did expect it to be; or elfe our Canoas, being very full of Men, did not row fo faft as we would have them. The day broke when we were two leagues from [+++---] 155 An. 1684 Town of Guiaquil attempted. from the Town, and then we had not above an hours Flood more; therefore our Captains defired the Indian Pilot to direct us to fome Creek where we might abfcond all day, which was immediately done, and one Canoa was fent towards Puna to our Bark, to order them not to move nor fire till the next day. But fhe came too late to countermand the firft orders: for the two Barks before mentioned, laden with Negroes, came from the Town the laft quarter of the evening Tide, and lay in the River, clofe by the fhore on one fide, and we rowed up on the other fide and mift them; neither did they fee nor hear us. Affoon as the Flood was fpent, the two Barks weighed and went down with the Ebb, towards Puna. Our Bark, feeing them coming di- rect'ly towards them, and both full of Men, fuppofed that we by fome accident had been deftroyed, and that the two Barks were mann'd with Spanifh Sol- diers, and fent to take our Ships, and therefore they fired three Guns at them a league before they came near. The two Spanifh Barks immediately came to an anchor, and the Mafters got into their Boats, and rowed for the fhore; but our Canoa that was fent from us took them both. The firing of thefe 3 Guns made a great diforder among our advanced Men, for moft of them did believe they were heard at Guiaquil, and that therefore it could be no profit to lye ftill in the Creek; but either row away to the Town, or back again to our Ships. It was now quarter Ebb: therefore we could not move upwards, if we had been difpos'd fo to do. At length Captain Davis faid, he would immediately land in the Creek where they lay, and march direct'ly to the Town, if but 40 Men would accompany him: and without faying more words, he landed among the Mangroves in the Marfhes. Thofe that were fo minded fol- lowed him, to the number of 40 or 50. Captain Swan lay ftill with the reft of the Party in the Creek, for [+++---] 156 An. 1684 Guiaquil attempted. for they thought it impoffible to do any good that way. Captain Davis and his Men were abfent about 4 hours, and then returned all wet, and quite tired, and could not find any paffage out into the firm Land. He had been fo far, that he almoft difpair'd of getting back again: for a Man cannot pafs thro thofe Red Mangroves but with very much labour. When C. Davis was return'd, we concluded to be going towards the Town the beginning of the next Flood; and if we found that the Town was alarm'd, we purpofed to return again without attempting any thing there. Affoon as it was Flood we rowed away, and paffed by the Ifland through the N. E. Channel, which is the narroweft. There are fo many Stumps in the River, that it is very dangerous palling in the night (and that is the time we always take for fuch attempts) for the River runs very fwift, and one of our Canoas ftuck on a Stump, and had certainly overfet, if fhe had not been immediately refcued by others. When we were come almoft to the end of the Ifland, there was a Mufquet fired at us out of the Bufhes, on the Main. We then had the Town open before us, and prefently faw lighted Torches, or Candles, all the Town over; whereas before the Gun was fired there was but one Light; there- fore we now concluded we were difcovered: Yet many of our Men faid, that it was a Holiday the next day, as it was indeed, and that therefore the Spaniards were making Fireworks, which they often do in the night againft fuch times. We rowed there- fore a little farther, and found firm Land, and Cap- tain Davis pitched his Canoa afhore and landed with his Men. Captain Swan, and moft of his Men, did not think it convenient to attempt any thing, feeing the Town was alarm d; but at laft, being upbraided with Cowardize, Captain Swan and his Men landed alfo. The place where we landed was about 2 mile from the Town: it was all overgrown with Woods fo [+++---] 157 An. 1684 Guiaquil attempted. fo thick, that we could not march through in the night; and therefore we fat down, waiting for the light of the day. We had two Indian Pilots with us; one that had been with us a month, who having re- ceived fome abufes from a Gentleman of Guiaquil, to be revenged offered his fervice to us, and we found him very faithful: the other was taken by us not above 2 or 3 days before, and he feemed to be as willing as the other to affift us. This latter was led by one of Captain Davis's men, who fhewed himfelf very forward to go to the Town, and up- braided others with faint-heartednefs: Yet this man (as he afterwards confeffed) notwithftanding his Courage, privately cut the ftring that the Guide was made faft with, and let him go to the Town by himfelf, not caring to follow him; but when he thought the Guide was got far enough from us, he cried out that the Pilot was gone, and that fome body had cut the Cord that tied him. This put every Man into a moving pofture to feek the Indian, but all in vain; and our confternation was great, being in the dark and among Woods: fo the defign was wholly dafhed, for not a Man after that had the heart to fpeak of going farther. Here we ftaid till day, and then rowed out into the middle of the River, where we had a fair view of the Town; which, as I faid before, makes a very pleafant prof- pect. We lay ftill about half an hour, being a mile, or fomething better, from the Town. They did not fire one Gun at us, nor we at them. Thus our defign on Guiaquil faild: yet Captain Townley, and Captain Francois Gronet took it a little while after this. When we had taken a full view of the Town we rowed over the River, where we went afhore to a Beef Eftantion or Farm, and kill'd a Cow, which we dreft and eat, We ftaid there till the evening Tide of Ebb, and then rowed down the River, and the 9th day in the morning arrived at Puna. In our way [+++---] 158 An. 1684 Negroes taken. A great advantage flipt. way thither we went aboard the 3 Barks laden with Negroes, that lay at their Anchor in the River, and carry d the Barks away with us. There were 1000 Negroes in the 3 Barks, all lufty young men and women. When we came to Puna, we fent a Canoa to Point Arena, to fee if the Ships were come thither. The 12th day fhe return'd again, with tydings that they were both there at Anchor. Therefore in the afternoon we all went aboard of our Ships, and carry'd the Cloath-bark with us, and about 40 of the ftouteft Negro men, leaving their 3 Barks with the reft; and out of thefe alfo Captain Davis and Captain Swan chofe about 14 or 15 apiece, and turn'd the reft afhore. [---+++] There was never a greater opportunity put into the hands of men to enrich themfelves than we had; to have gone with thefe Negroes, and fettled our felves at Santa Maria, on the Ifthmus of Darien, and employed them in getting Gold out of the Mines there. Which might have been done with eafe: For about 6 months before this, Captain Harris (who was now with us) coming over Land from the North Seas with his body of Privateers, had routed the Spaniards away from the Town and Gold-Mines of Santa Maria, fo that they had never attempted to fettie there again fince: Add to this, that the Indian neighbourhood, who were mortal Enemies to the Spaniards, and had been flufht by their fucceffes againft them, through the affiftance of the Privateers, for feveral years, were our faft friends, and ready to receive and affift us. We had, as I have faid, 1000 Negroes to work for us, we had 200 Tun of Flower that lay at the Gallapagos, there was the River of Santa Maria, where we could ca- reen and fit our Ships; and might fortifie the mouth fo, that if all the ftrength the Spaniards have in Peru had come againft us, we could have kept them out. If they lay with Guard-fhips of ftrength to keep us in, [+++---] 159 An. 1684 Plata, again. in, yet we had a great Country to live in, and a great Nation of Indians that were our friends: Be- fide, which was the principal thing, we had the North Seas to befriend us; from whence we could export our felves, or effects, or import goods or men to our affiftance; for in a fhort time we fhould have had affiftance from all parts of the Weft Indies; many thoufands of Privateers from Jamaica and the French Iflands efpecially would have flockt over to us; and long before this time we might have been mafters not only of thofe Mines, (the richeft Gold-mines ever yet found in America) but of all the Coaft as high as Quito: and much more than I fay might then probably have been done. [---+++] But thefe may feem to the Reader but Golden Dreams: To leave them therefore; The 12th day we fail'd from Point Arena towards Plata, to feek our Bark that was fent to the Ifland Lobos, in fearch of Captain Eaton. We were 2 Ships in company, and two Barks: and the 16th day we arriv d at Plata, but found no Bark there, nor any Letter. The next day we went over to the Main, to fill Water, and in our paffage met our Bark: fhe had been a fecond time at the Ifland Lobos, and not finding us was coming to Plata again. They had been in fome want of Provifion fince they left us, and therefore they had been at Santa Hellena, and taken it; where they got as much Maize as ferved them 3 or 4 days; and that, with fome Fifh and Turtle which they ftruck, lafted them till they came to the Ifland Lobos de Terra. They got Boobies and Penguins Eggs, of which they laid in a ftore; and went from thence to Lobos de la Mar, where they replenished their ftock of Eggs, and salted up a few young Seal, for fear they fhould want: and being thus victualled, they returned again towards Plata. When our Water was fill'd we went over again to the Ifland Plata. There we parted the Cloths that were taken in the Cloth- [+++---] 160 An. 1684 Large Turtle at Plata. Cloth-bark into two Lots or Shares; Captain Da- vis and his Men had one part, and Captain Swan and his Men had the other part. The Bark which the Cloath was in Captain Swan kept for a Tender. At this time here were at Plata a great many large Turtle, which I judge came from the Gallapagos, for I had never feen any here before, tho I had been here feveral times: this was their coupling-time, which is much fooner in the year here than in the Weft Indies, properly fo called. Our Strikers brought aboard every day more than we could eat. Captain Swan had no Striker, and therefore had no Turtle, but what was fent him from Captain Davis; and all his Flower too he had from Captain Davis: but fince our difappointment at Guiaquil Captain Davis his Men murmured againft Captain Swan, and did not willingly give him any Provifion, becaufe he was not fo forward to go thither as Captain Davis. How- ever, at laft, thefe differences were made up, and we concluded to go into the Bay of Panama, to a Town called La Velia; but becaufe we had not Ca- noas enough to land our Men, we were refolved to fearch fome Rivers where the Spaniards have no com- merce, there to get Indian Canoas. [+++---]