Page 235
An.1685
Vinello's, where found.
These Vines grow plentifully at Bocca-toro, where I have gathered and tried to cure them, but could not: which makes me think that the Indians have some secret that I know not of to cure them. I have often ask: the Spaniards how they were cured, but I never could meet with any could tell me. One Mr. Cree also, a very curious person, who spake Spanish well, and had been a Privateer all his Life, and 7 years a Prisoner among the Spaniards at Porto- bel and Cartagena, yet upon all his enquiry could not find any of them that understood it. Could we have learnt the Art of it, several of us would have gone to Bocca-toro yearly, at the dry season and cured them, and freighted our Vessel. We there might have had Turtle enough for food, and store of Vinello's. Mr. Cree first shewed me those at Bocca-toro. At, or near a Town also, called Cai- hooca, in the Bay of Campeachy, these Cods are found. They are commoly fold for 3 pence a Cod among the Spaniards in the West-Inaies, and are sold by the Druggist, for they are much used among Choco- late to perfume it. Some will use them among To- bacco, for it gives a delicate scent. I never heard of any Vinello's but here in this Country, about Cai- hooca, and at Bocca-toro.
The Indians of this Village could speak but little Spanish. They seemed to be a poor innocent peo- ple : and by them we understood, that here are very few Spaniards in these parts; yet all the Indi- ans hereabout are under them. The Land from the Sea to their Houses is black Earth, mixt with some Stones and Rocks ; all the way full of very high Trees.
The 10th day we sent 4 Canoas to the West- ward, who were ordered to lye for us at Port An- gels ; where we were in hopes that by some means or other they might get Prisoners, that might give a better account of the Country than at