Page 250
An.1685
A Caravan of Mules taken.
ed at a place called Estapa, a league to the West of Chequetan. The woman was well acquainted here, having been often at this place for Muscles, as she told us, for here are great plenty of them : they seem in all respects like our English Muscles. She carry'd us through the pathlefs Wood by the side of a River, for about a league : then we came into a Savannah full of Bulls and Cows; and here the Carrier before mentioned was lying at the Eftan- tion-house with his Mules, not having dared to advance all this while, as not knowing where we lay : so his own fear made him, his Mules, and all his Goods, become a Prey to us. He had 40 packs of Flower, some Chocolate, a great many small Cheeses, and abundance of Earthen Ware. The eatables we brought away, but the Earthen Veffels we had no occasion for, and therefore left them. The Mules were about 60 : we brought our Prize with them to the shore, and so turn'd them away. Here we also kill'd some Cows, and brought with us to our Canoas. In the afternoon our Ships came to an anchor half a mile from the place where we landed, and then we went aboard. Captain Town- ly seeing our good success went ashore with his Men to kill some Cows ; for here were no Inha- bitants near to oppose us. The Land is very woody, of a good fertile foil, watered with many small Rivers: yet it hath but few Inhabitants near the Sea. Captain Townly killed 18 Beefs, and after he came aboard, our Men, contrary to Captain Swan's inclination, gave Captain Townly part of the Flower which we took ashore. Afterwards we gave the Woman some Cloaths for her and her Children, and put her and two of them ashore ; but one of them, a very pretty Boy, about 7 or 8 years old, Captain Swan kept. The Woman cried, and begg'd hard to have him; but Captain Swan would not, but promis'd to make much of him, and was as good