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An. 1681
Pearl-Fishery.
It's head is generally hid in the Clouds; but in clear weather, when the top appears, it looks white; supposed to be covered with Snow. St. Martha lieth in the Lat. of 12 Deg. North.
Being advanced 5 or 6 leagues to the Eastward of Santa Martha, we left our Ships at Anchor, and re- turn'd back in our Canoa's to the River Grande; en- tring it by a mouth of it that disembogues it self near Santa Martha: purposing to attempt some Towns that lye a pretty way up that River. But this design meeting with discourgagements, we re- turn'd to our Ships, and set sail to Rio la Hacha. This hath been a strong Spanish Town, and is well built; but being often taken by the Privateers, the Spaniards deserted it some time before our arrival. It lieth to the Westward of a River; and right a- gainst the Town is a good Road for Ships, the bot- tom clean and sandy. The Jamaica Sloops used of- ten to come over to trade here: and I am inform'd that the Spaniards have again settled themselves in it, and made it very strong. We enter'd the Fort, and brought two small Guns aboard. From thence we went to the Rancho-Reys, one or two small Indian Villages, where the Spaniards keep two Barks to fish for Pearl. The Pearl-banks lye about 4 or 5 leagues off from the shore, as I have been told; thither the Fishing-Barks go and anchor; then the Divers go down to the bottom, and fill a Basket (which is let down before) with Oysters; and when they come up, others go down, two at a time; this they do till the Bark is full, and then go ashore, where the old men, women and children of the Indians open the Oysters, there being a Spanish Over- seer to look after the Pearl. Yet these Indians do very often secure the best Pearl for themselves, as many Ja- maica men can testifie who daily trade with them. The meat they string up, and hang it a drying. At this place we went ashore, where we found one of the Barks,