Page 266
An. 1686
River and Town of Rofario. Gold Mines.
there were 2 rich Gold Mines, where the Spaniards of Compoftella, which is the chiefeft Town in thefe parts, kept many Slaves and Indians at work for Gold. Here our Men lay that night, and the next morning packt up all the Maiz that they could find, and brought it on their backs to the Canoas, and came aboard.
We lay here till the 2d of February, and then Captain Swan went away with about 80 Men to the River Rofario: where they landed, and marched to an Indian Town of the fame Name. They found it about 9 mile from the Sea; the way to it fair and even. This was a fine little Town, of about 60 or 70 Houfes, with a fair Church; and it was chiefly inhabited with Indians. They took Prifoners there, which told them, that the River Rofario is rich in Gold, and that the Mines are not above 2 leagues from the Town. Captain Swan did not think it convenient to go to the Mines; but made hafte aboard with the Maiz which he took there, to the quantity of about 80 or 90 Bufhels; and which to us, in the fcarcity we were in of Provifions, was at that time more valuable than all the Gold in the world: and had he gone to the Mines the Spaniards would probably have deftroyed the Corn before his return. The 3d day of February we went with our Ships alfo towards the River Rofario, and anchored the next day againft the Rivers mouth, in 7 fathom, good oazy ground, a league from the fhore. This River is in lat. 22 d. 51 m. N. When you are at an anchor againft this River, you will fee a round Hill, like a Sugar-loaf, a little way within Land, right over the River, and bearing N. E. by N. To the Weftward of that Hill there is another pretty long Hill called by the Spaniards Caput Cavalli, or the Horfe's Head.
The 7th day Captain Swan came aboard with the Maiz which he got. This was but a fmall quantity for fo many Men as we were, efpecially confidering the