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An. 1681.
A Journey over the Isthmus of America.
and marched to the foot of a very high Mountain, where we lay all night. This day we marched a- bout 9 miles.
The 21st day some of the Indians returned back, and we marched up a very high mountain; being on the top,we went some miles on a ridge,and steep on both sides; then descended a little, and came to a fine Spring, where we lay all night, having gone this day about 9 miles, the weather still very fair and clear.
The 22d day we marched over another very high Mountain, keeping on the ridge 5 miles. When we came to the North end, we, to our great comfort, saw the Sea; then we descended and part- ed our selves into 3 Companies, and lay by the side of a River, which was the first we met that runs into the North Sea.
The 23d day we came through several large Plan- tain walks, and at 10 a Clock, came to an Indians habitation, not far from the North Sea. Here we got Canoas to carry us down the River Conception to the Sea side; having gone this day about 7 miles. We found a great many Indians at the mouth of this River: They had settled themselves here for the be- nefit of Trade with the Privateers; and their Com- modities were Yams, Potatoes, Plantains, Sugar, Canes, Fowls, and Eggs.
These Indians told us, that there had been a great many English and French Ships here, which were all gone but one Barco-longo, a French Privateer that lay at La Sound's Key or Island. This Island is about 3 leagues from the mouth of the River Conception, and is one of the Samballoes, a range of Islands reaching for about 20 leagues, from point Samballas to Gol- den-Island Eastward. These Islands or Keys, as we call them, were first made the Rendezvous of Pri- vateers in the year 1679, being very convenient for careening, and had names given to some of them