309
An.1686
Their arrival at Mindanao.
good heighth, and is full of many small hills. The Land at the South East end (where I was ashore) is of a black fat mould ; and the whole Island seems to partake of the same fatness, by the vast number of large Trees that it produceth: for it looks all over like one great Grove.
As we were passing by the S. E. end we saw a Canoa of the Natives under the shore: therefore one of our Canoas went after to have spoken with her; but she run away from us, seeing themselves chaced, put their Canoa ashore, leaving her fled into the Woods; nor would be allured to come to us, altho we did what we could to entice them: besides these Men we saw no more here, nor sign of any Inhabitants at this end.
When we came aboard our Ship again we steered away for the Island Mindanao, which was now fair in sight of us: it being about 10 leagues distant from this part of St. Johns. The 22d day we came within a league of the East side of the Island Min- danao, and having the Wind at S. E. we steered toward the North end, keeping on the East side, till we came into the lat. of 7 d. 40 m. and there we anchored in a small Bay, about a mile from the shore, in 10 fathom Water, rocky foul ground.
Some of our Books gave us an account, that Mindanao City and Isle lies in 7 d. 40 m. we guest that the middle of the Island might lye in this lat. but we were at a great loss where to find the City, whether on the East or West side. Indeed, had it been a small Island, lying open to the Eastern Wind., we might probably have searched first on the West side; for commonly the Islands within the Tropicks, or within the bounds of the Trade- Winds have their Harbours on the West side, as best sheltered: but the Island Mindanao being guarded on the East side by St. Johns Island, we might as rea- sonably expect to find the Harbour and City on this