Page 84
An.1683
They arrive at the Ifle of John Fernando.
take us, but coming nearer we both found our mi- ftakes. This proved to be one Captain Eaton in a Ship fent purpofely from London for the South Seas: We hailed each other, and the Captain came on board, and told us of his actions on the Coaft of Brazil, and in the River of Plate.
He met Captain Swan (one that came from En- gland to trade here) at the Eaft Entrance into the Streights of Magellan, and they accompanied each other through the Streights, and were feparated af- ter they were through by the Storm before menti- oned. Both we and Captain Eaton being bound for John Fernando's Ifle, we kept company, and we fpared him Bread and Beef, and he fpared us Water, which he took in as he paffed through the Streights.
March the 22d, 1684. we came in fight of the Ifland, and the next day got in and anchored in a Bay at the South end of the Ifland, in 25 fathom water, not two Cables lengths from the fhore. We prefently got out our Canoa, and went afhore to fee for a Moskito Indian, whom we left here when we were chaced hence by three Spanifh Ships in the year 1681. a little before we went to Arica ; Captain Watlin being then our Commander, after Captain Sharp was turned out.
This Indian lived here alone above 3 years, and altho he was feveral times fought after by the Spa- niards, who knew he was left on the Ifland, yet they could never find him. He was in the Woods hunting for Goats, when Captain Watlin drew off his men, and the Ship was under fail before he came back to fhore. He had with him his Gun and a Knife, with a fmall Horn of Powder, and a few Shot ; which being fpent, he contrived a way by notching his Knife, to faw the barrel of his Gun into fmall pieces, wherewith he made Harpoons, Lances, Hooks, and a long Knife; heating the pie- ces firft in the fire, which he ftruck with his Gun- flint,