Page 169
An.1684
Island Gallo. Tomaco River.
These Crauls I have not seen on the Continent; where the Spaniards keep them tame at home. Among the Wild Indians, or in their Woods, are no Hogs, but Pecary and Warree, a sort I have men- tioned before.
After we had refreshed our selves, we returned toward the mouth of the River. It was the even- ing when we came from thence, and we got to the Rivers mouth the next morning before day: Our Ships when we left them were order'd to go to Gal- lo, where they were to stay for us. Gallo is a small uninhabited Island, lying in between 2 and 3 De- grees North Lat. It lyeth in a wide Bay about 3 leagues from the mouth of the River Tomaco; and 4 leagues and a half from a small Indian Village called Tomaco: The Island Gallo is of an indifferent heighth; it is cloathed with very good Timber Trees, and is therefore often visited with Barks from Guiaquil and other places: for most of the Timber carry'd from Guiaquil to Lima, is first fetcht from Gallo. There is a Spring of good Water at the N. E. end: at that place there is a fine small Sandy Bay, where there is good landing. The road for Ships is against this Bay, where there is good secure riding in 6 or 7 fa- thom water; and here Ships may careen. It is but shole water all about this Island; yet there is a Chan- nel to come in at, where there is not less than 4 fa- thom water: You must go in with the Tyde of Flood, and come out with Ebb, sounding all the way.
Tomaco is a large River that takes its Name from an Indian Village so called: It is reported to spring from the rich Mountains about Quito. It is thick in- habited with Indians; and there are some Spaniards that live there, who traffick with the Indians for Gold. It is shoal at the mouth of the River, yet Barks may enter.
The