Page 118
An.1684
Lance-wood.
we come to an Anchor, we always send out our Strikers, and put out our Hooks and Lines over- board, to try for Fish. The next day our men re- turn'd out of the Bay, and brought the Canoa with them which they were sent for, and 3 or 4 days afterward the 2 Canoas were sent out again for ano- ther, which they likewise brought aboard. These Canoas were fitted with Thoats or Benches, Straps, and Oars, fit for service; and one of these Captain Eaton had for his share, and we the other, which we fixt for landing men when occasion required. While we lay here we filled our Water, and cut a great many Looms, or Handles, or Staves for Oars; for here is plenty of Lancewood, which is most proper for that use. I never saw any in the South Seas, but in this place: there is plenty of it in Jamaica, espe- cially at a place called Blewfields (not Blewfields Ri- ver which is on the Main) near the West end of that Island. The Lancewood grows strait like our young Ashes; it is very hard, tough and heavy, therefore Privateers esteem it very much, not only to make Looms for Oars, but Scowring-Rods for their Guns; for they have seldom less than 3 or 4 spare Rods for fear one should break, and they are much better than Rods made of Ash.
The day before we went from hence Mr. Edward Davis, the Company's Quarter-master, was made Captain by consent of all the Company; for it was his place by Succession. The 26th day of July we sailed from this Bay of Caldera, with Captain Eaton, and our Prize which we brought from Gallapagos in company, directing our course for Ria Lexa. The Wind was at North, which although but an ordinary Wind, yet it carried us in three days abreast of our intended Port.
Ria Lexa is the most remarkable Land on all this Coast, for there is a high peeked burning Moun- tain, called by the Spaniards Volcan-Vejo, or the Old Volcan: