University of Virginia Library

CHAP. I.

AT a place called Boca del Toro, was the gene-

ral Rendezvouz of the Fleet, which lately had
taken and sackt Puerto Velo the second time;
that rich place having been plundered once
before, under the Conduct of Sir Henry Morgan,
as is related in the History of the Bucaniers. At this
place also were two other Vessels; the one belonging unto
Captain Peter Harris, and the other unto Captain Richard
Sawkins; both Englishmen and Privateers. Here
therefore a report was made unto the Fleet, of a Peace
concluded between the Spaniards and the Indians of the
Land of Darien, who for the most part wage incessant Wars
against one another. Also, that since the conclusion of the
said Peace, they had been already tryed, and found very
faithful unto Captain Bournano, a French Commander, in
an attempt on a certain place called Chepo, nigh the
South Sea. Further, that the Indians had promised to
conduct him unto a great and very rich place, named Tocamora:
upon which he had likewise promised them to return
in three Months time with more Ships and Men.
Hereupon we all agreed to go visit the said place, and thus
dispersed our selves into several Coves, (by the Spaniards
called Cúèvas, or hollow creeks under the Coasts) there to
careen and fit our Vessels for that purpose. In this place
Boca del Toro, we found plenty of fat Tortoises; the pleasantest
meat in the world. When we had refitted our Vessels,
we met at an Island, called by us, the Water-key; and
this was then our strength, as followeth.

                   

	Tuns.	Guns.	Men.
Captain Coxon in a Ship of	80	8	97
Captain Harris in another of	150	25	107
Captain Bournáno	90	6	86
Captain Sawkins	16	1	35
Captain Sharp	25	2	40
Captain Cook	35	00	43
Captain Alleston	18	00	24
Captain Row	20	00	25
Captain Macket	14	00	20

We sailed from thence March the 23. 1679. and in our
way touched at the Islands called Zamblas. These are certain
Islands reaching eight Leagues in extent, and lying
fourteen Leagues Westward of the River of Darien. Being
here at an Anchor, many of the Indians, both men and
women, came to see us. Some brought Plantans, others
other Fruits, and Venison, to exchange with us for Beads,
Needles, Knives, or any trifling bauble whereof they stand
in need. But what they most chiefly covet are Axes and
Hatchets to fell Timber withal. The men here go naked,
as having only a sharp and hollow tip, made either of Gold,
Silver, or Bark, into which they thrust their Privy Members;
the which tip they fasten with a string about their
middle. They wear as an ornament in their Noses, a golden
or silver Plate, in shape like unto a Half Moon; which
when they drink, they hold up with one hand, mean while
they lift the cup with the other. They paint themselves
sometimes with streaks of black; as the women do in like
manner, with red. These have in their Noses a pretty
thick ring of Gold or Silver; and for cloathing, they cover
themselves with a Blanket. They are generally well featured
women: among whom I saw several fairer than the
fairest of Europe, with Hair like unto the finest flax. Of
these it is reported, they can see far better in the dark, than
in the light.

These Indians misliked our design for Tocamora, and dis-

swaded us from it, asserting it would prove too tedious a
march, and the way so mountainous, and uninhabited, that
it would be extream difficult to get Provisions for our men.
Withal, they proffered to guide us undiscryed, within few
Leagues of the City of Panama, in case we were pleased
to go thither; where we could not choose but know our
selves, we should not fail of making a good Voyage. Upon
these, and other reasons which they gave us, we concluded
to desist from the Journey of Tocamora, and to proceed
to Panama. Having taken up these Resolutions,
Captain Bournano and Captain Row's Vessels separated from
us, as being all French, and not willing to go to Panama,
they declaring themselves generally against a long march
by Land. Thus we left them at the Zamblas. From
thence an Indian Captain, or chief Commander, named
Andræas, conducted us to another Island, called by the Eng-
lish, the Golden Island, situated something to the westward
of the mouth of the great River of Darien. At this Island
we met, being in all seven Sail, on the third of April, 1680.

Here at the Golden Island, the Indians gave us notice of
a Town called Sancta Maria, situate on a great River, which
beareth the same name, and which runneth into the South
Sea, by the Gulf of San Miguèl. That in the Town was
kept a Garrison of four hundred Souldiers; and that from
this place much Gold was carried to Panama, which was gathered
from the Mountains thereabouts. That in case we
should not find sufficient purchase there, we might from
thence proceed by Sea to Panama, where we could not easi-

ly fail of our designs. This motion of the Indians we
liked so well, that we landed three hundred and thirty one
men, on April the 5th 1680. leaving Captain Alleston, and
Mackett, with a party of Seamen, to guard our Ships in
our absence; with which we intended to return home.

These men that were landed, had each of them three or
four Cakes of Bread, (called by the English Dough-boy's)
for their provision of Victuals; and as for drink, the Rivers
afforded them enough. At that time of our Landing, Captain
Sharp was very faint and weak, as having had a great
fit of sickness lately, which he had scarcely recovered. Our
several Companies that marched, were distinguished as followeth.
First, Captain Bartholomew Sharp with his Company
had a red Flag, with a bunch of white and green Ribbons.
The second Division led by Captain Richard Sawkins,
with his men had a red Flag striped with yellow.
The third and fourth, which were led by Captain Peter
Harris, had two green Flags, his Company being divided
into two several Divisions. The fifth and sixth, which being
led by Captain John Coxon, who had some of Alleston's
and Macketts men joyned unto his, made two Divisions or
Companies, had each of them a red Flag. The seventh
was led by Captain Edmond Cook with red Colours striped
with yellow, with a Hand and Sword for his devise. All, or
most of them, were Armed with Fuzee, Pistol, and Hanger.