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An. 1681.
A Journey over the Isthmus of America.
cept those two who were behind: Foreseeing a necessity of wading through Rivers frequently in our Land-march, I took care before I left the Ship, to provide my self a large Joint of Bambo, which I stopt at both ends, closing it with Wax, so as to keep out any Water. In this I preserved my Jour- nal and other Writings from being wet, tho I was often forced to swim. When we were over this River, we sat down to wait the coming of our Conforts who were left behind, and in half an hour they came. But the River by that time was so high, that they could not get over it, neither could we help them over, but bid them be of good comfort, and stay till the River did fall: But we marched 2 mile farther by the side of the River, and there built our Hutts, having gone this day 6 miles. We had scarce finished our Hutts before the River rose much higher, and overflowing the Banks, obliged us to remove into higher ground: But the next night came on before we could build more Hutts, so we lay straggling in the Woods, some under one Tree, some under another, as we could find conveniency, which might have been in- different comfortable if the weather had been fair; but the greatest part of the night we had extraor- dinary hard Rain, with much lightening and terri- ble claps of Thunder. These hardships and incon- veniences made us all careless, and there was no Watch kept, (tho I believe no body did sleep :) So our slaves taking opportunity, went away in the night; all but one, who was hid in some hole and knew nothing of their design, or else fell asleep. Those that went away carried with them, our Chyrurgeons Gun and all his Money.
The next morning being the 8th day, we went to the Rivers side, and found it much fallen ; and here our Guide would have us ford it again, which being deep, and the current running swift we could not.