Page 233
An.1685
Guatulco. Capalita River.
in the calmest seasons the Sea beats in there, ma- king the Water spout out at the hole : so that this is always a good mark to find the Harbour by. The Harbour is about 3 mile deep, and one mile broad ; it runs in N. W. But the West side of the Harbour is best to ride in for small Ships ; for there you may ride land-locked : whereas any where else you are open to the S. W. Winds, which often blow here. There is good clean ground any where, and good gradual foundings from 16 to 6 fathom ; it is bounded with a smooth sandy shore, very good to land at ; and at the bottom of the Harbour there is a fine Brook of fresh Water running into the Sea. Here formerly stood a small Spanish Town, or Village, which was taken by Sir Francis Drake : but now there is nothing remaining of it, beside a little Chappel standing among the Trees, about 200 paces from the Sea. The Land appears in small short ridges parallel to the shore, and to each other ; the innermost still gradually higher than that nearer the shore ; and they are all clothed with very high flourishing Trees, that it is extraor- dinary pleasant and delightful to behold at a di- stance : I have no where seen any thing like it.
At this place Captain Swan, who had been very sick, came ashore, and all the sick Men with him, and the Surgeon to tend them. Captain Townley again took a company of Men with him, and went into the Country to seek for Houses or Inhabitants. He marched away to the Eastward, and came to the River Capalita : which is a swift River, yet deep near the mouth, and is about a league from Guatulco. There 2 of his Men swam over the River, and took 3 Indians that were placed there, as Centinels, to watch for our coming. These could none of them speak Spanish ; yet our Men by signs made them understand, that they desired to know if there was any Town or Village near ; who by the signs which