University of Virginia Library

Chap. VII.

CAptain Morgan left us all in such a miserable
condition, as might serve for a lively Representation,
of what Reward attendeth Wickedness
at the latter end of Life. From whence we
ought to have learned, how to regulate and amend
our Actions for the future. However it was, our
Affairs being reduced to such a posture, every
Company that was left behind, whether English,
or French, were compelled to seek what means
they could to help themselves. Thus most of
them separated from each other, and several
Companies took several courses, at their return
homewards. As for that Party unto which I did
belong, we steer'd our Voyage along the Coast
of Costa Rica, where we intended to purchase some
Provisions, and careen our Vessel in some secure
place or other. For the Boat wherein we were,

was now grown so foul, as to be rendred totally
unfit for Sayling. In few days we arrived at a
great Port, called Boca del Toro, where are always
to be found an huge quantity of good and eatable
Tortoises. The Circumference hereof is ten
Leagues, more or less, being surrounded with
little Islands, under which Vessels may ride very
secure from the violence of the Winds.

The said Islands are inhabited by Indians, who

never could be subjugated by the Spaniards, and
hence they give them the Name of Indios bravos,
or wild Indians. They are divided, according to
the variety of Idioms of their Language, into several
Customs and Fashions of People, from
whence ariseth, that they have perpetual Wars
against one another. Towards the East-side of
this Port are found some of them, who formerly
did much trade with the Pirats, selling unto them
the Flesh of divers Animals, which they hunt in
their Countreys, as also all sorts of Fruits that the
Land produceth. The Exchange of which Commodities
was Iron-Instruments, that the Pirats
brought them, Beads, and other Toys, whereof
they made great account for wearing, more then
of precious Jewels, which they knew not, nor
esteemed in the least. This Commerce afterwards
failed, because the Pirats committed many
barbarous Inhumanities against them, killing many
of their Men on a certain occasion, and taking
away their Women, to serve their disordinate
Lust. These Abuses gave sufficient cause for a
perpetual cessation of all Friendship and Commerce,
between them and the Pirats.

We went ashore, with design to seek Provisi-

ons, our necessity being now almost extream. But
our Fortune was so bad, that we could find no-
thing else then a few Eggs of Crocodiles, wherewith
we were forced to content our selves for that
present. Hereupon we left those Quarters, and
steered our course Eastwards. Being upon this
Tack, we met with three Boats more of our own
Companions, who had been left behind by Captain
Morgan. These told us, they had been
able to find no Relief for the extream Hunger they
sustained. Moreover, that Captain Morgan himself,
and all his People, were already reduced to
such Misery, as he could afford them no more Allowance
then once a day, and that very short
too.

We therefore hearing from these Boats, that lit-

tle or no good was like to be done, by sailing farther
Eastwards, changed our course, and steered
towards the West. Here we found an excessive
quantity of Tortoises, more then we needed for
the victualsing our Boats, should we be never so
long without any other Flesh or Fish. Having
provided our selves with this sort of Victuals, the
next thing we wanted was fresh Water. There
was enough to be had in the neighbouring Islands,
but we scarce dared to land on them, by reason of
the Enmity above mentioned, between us Pirats
and those Indiaus. Notwithstanding, Necessity
having no Law, we were forced to do as we
could, rather then as we desired to do. And hereupon
we resolved to go all of us together, unto
one of the said Islands. Being landed, one Party
of our Men went to range in the Woods, mean
while another filled the Barrels with Water. Scarce
one whole hour was past, after our People were

got ashore, when suddenly the Indians came upon
us, and we heard one of our Men cry, Arm, Arm.
We presently took up our Arms, and began to
fire at them as hot as we could. This caused them
to advance no farther, and in a short while put
them to Flight, sheltring themselves in the Woods.
We pursued them some part of the way, but not
far, by reason we then esteemed rather to get in
our Water, then any other Advantages upon the
Enemy. Coming back, we found two Indians
dead upon the shore, whereof the Habiliments of
one gave us to understand, he was a Person of
Quality amongst them. For he had about his
Body a Girdle, or Shash, very richly woven; and
on his Face he wore a Beard of massive Gold. I
mean, a small Planch of Gold hung down at his
Lips by two Strings, (which penetrated two little
Holes, made there on purpose) that covered
his Beard, or served instead thereof. His Arms
were made of Sticks of Palmite-trees, being very
curiously wrought, at one end whereof, was a
kind of Hook, which seemed to be hardned with
Fire. We could willingly have had opportunity
to speak with some of these Indians, to see if we
could reconcile their Minds unto us, and by this
means renew the former Trade with them, and
obtain Provisions. But this was a thing impossible,
through the Wildness of their Persons, and
Savageness of their Minds. Notwithstanding,
this Rencounter hindred us not from filling our
Barrels with Water, and carrying them aboard.

The night following we heard from the Shore,

huge Cryes and Shrieks among the Indians. These
Lamentations caused us to believe, because they
were heard so far, they had called in much more
People to aid them against us; as also, that they
lamented the Death of those two Men, who were
kill'd the day before. These Indians never use to
come upon the Waters of the Sea, neither have
they ever given themselves to build Canows, or
any other sort of Vessels, for Navigation. Not
so much as Fisher-boats, of which Art of Fishery,
they are totally ignorant. At last, having nothing
else to hope for in these Parts, we resolved
to depart from thence for Jamaica, whither we designed
to go. Being set forth, we met with contrary
Winds, which caused us to make use of our
Oars, and row as far as the River of Chagre. When
we came nigh unto it, we perceived a Ship that
made towards us, and began to give us Chace.
Our Apprehensions were, that it was a Ship from
Cartagena, which might be sent to rebuild and retake
possession of the Castle of Chagre, now all the
Pirats were departed from thence. Hereupon we
set all our Sayl, and ran before the Wind, to see
if we could escape, or refuge our selves in any
place. But the Vessel being much more swifter
and cleaner then ours, easily got the Wind of us,
and stopt our Course. Then approaching nigh
unto us, we discover'd what they were, and
knew them to be our former Comrades, in the
same Expedition of Panama, who were but lately
set out from Chagre. Their Design was to go
unto Nombre de Dios, and from thence to Cartagena,
to seek some Purchase or other, in or about that
frequented Port. But the Wind at that present
being contrary to their Intention, they concluded
to go in our Company, towards the same Place
where we were before, called Boca del Toro.

This Accident and Encounter retarded our
Journey, in the space of two days, more then we
could regain in a whole Fortnight. This was the
occasion that obliged us to return unto our former
Station, where we remained for a few days. From
thence we directed our Course for a Place, called
Boca del Dragon, there to make Provisions of Flesh.
Especially of a certain Animal, which the Spani-

ards call Manentines, and the Dutch, Sea-Cows, because
the Head, Nose, and Teeth, of this Beast,
are very like unto those of a Cow. They are
found commonly in such places, as under the depth
of the Waters, are very full of Grass, on which,
it is thought, they do pasture. These Animals
have no Ears, and only in place of them are to be
seen two little Holes, scarce capable of receiving
the little Finger of a Man. Nigh unto the Neck,
they have two Wings, under which are seated
two Udders, or Breasts, much like unto the Breasts
of a Woman. The Skin is very close, and united
together, resembling the Skin of a Barbary, or
Guiney-Dog. This Skin upon the Back is of the
thickness of two Fingers, which being dryed, is
as hard as any Whale-bone, and may serve to
make Walking-staffs withal. The Belly is in all
things like unto that of a Cow, as far as the Kidneys,
or Reins. Their manner of Engendring
likewise, is the same with the usual manner of a
Land-Cow, the Male of this kind being in similitude,
almost one and the same thing with a Bull.
Yet notwithstanding they conceive and breed but
once. But the space of time that they go with
Calf, I could not as yet learn. These Fishes have
the sense of Hearing extreamly acute, in so much
as in taking them, the Fishermen ought not to
make the least noise, nor row, unless it be very
slightly. For this reason they make use of certain
Instruments for Rowing, which the Indians call
Pagayos, and the Spaniards name Caneletas, with
which although they row, yet is it performed
without any noise that can fright the Fish. Mean
while they are busied in this Fishery, they use not
to speak to one another, but all is transacted by
Signs. He that darteth them with the Javelin,
useth it after the same manner as when they kill
Tortoises. Howbeit, the point of the said Javelin
is somewhat different, as having two Hooks at
the Extremity, and these longer then that of the
other Fishery. Of these Fishes, some are found
to be of the length of 20, unto 24 Foot. Their
Flesh is very good to eat, being very like in Colour
unto that of a Land-Cow, but in Taste, unto
that of Pork. It containeth much Fat, or
Grease, the which the Pirats use to melt, and
keep in earthen Pots, to make use thereof instead
of Oyl.

On a certain day, wherein we were not able to
do any good at this sort of Fishery, some of our
Men went into the Woods to hunt, and others to
catch other Fish. Soon after we espied a Canow,
wherein were two Indians. These no sooner had
discovered our Vessels, but they rowed back with
all the speed they could towards the Land, being
unwilling to trade, or have any thing to do with
us Pirats. We followed them to the shore, but
through their natural Nimbleness, being much
greater then ours, they retired into the Woods
before we could overtake them. Yea, what was

more admirable, they drew on shore, and carried
with them their Canow into the Wood, as easily
as if it were made of Straw, although it weighed
above 2000 l. This we knew by the Canow
it self, which we found afterwards, and had
much ado to get into the Water again, although
we were in all 11 persons to pull at it.

We had at that time in our Company, a certain

Pilot, who had been divers times in those Quarters.
This Man, seeing this Action of the Indians,
told us, that some few years before, a Squadron
of Pirats happened to arrive at that place.
Being there, they went in Canows, to catch a
certain sort of little Birds, which inhabiteth the
Sea-coast, under the shade of very beautiful Trees,
which here are to be seen. Mean while they
were busied at that Work, certain Indians, who
were climbed up into the Trees, to view their
Actions, seeing now the Canows underneath,
leaped down into the Sea, and with huge celerity
seized some of the Canows and Pirats that kept
them, both which they transported so nimbly into
the remotest parts of the Woods, as that the
Prisoners could not be relieved by their Companions.
Hereupon the Admiral of the said Squadron
landed presently after with 500 Men, to seek
and rescue the Men he had lost. But they saw
such an excessive number of Indians flock together
to oppose them, as obliged them to retreat with
all possible diligence unto their Ships. Concluding
among themselves, that if such Forces as
those could not perform any thing, towards the
recovery of their Companions, they ought to stay
no longer time there. Having heard this History,
we came away from thence, fearing some Mischief
might befal us, and bringing with us the Canow
afore-mentioned. In this we found nothing
else but a Fishing-net, though not very large, and
four Arrows, made of Palm-tree, of the length
of 7 Foot each, and of the figure, or shape, as
followeth.

[ILLUSTRATION]

These Arrows, we believed, to be their Arms.
The Canow we brought away was made of Cedar,
but very roughly hewen, and polisht, which
caused us to think, that those People have no Instruments
of Iron.

We left that Place, and arrived in 24 hours
unto another, called Rio de Zuera, where we
found some few Houses belonging to the City of
Cartagena. These Houses are inhabited by Spaniards,
whom we resolved to visit, not being able to

find any Tortoises, nor yet any of their Eggs.
The Inhabitants were all fled from the said Houses,
having left no Victuals, nor Provisions, behind
them, in so much as we were forced to content
our selves with a certain Fruit, which there is
called Platano. Of these Platanos we filled our
Boats, and continued our Voyage, coasting along
the shore. Our Design was to find out some
Creek, or Bay, wherein to careen our Vessel,
which now was very leaky on all sides. Yea, in
such a dangerous condition, that both night and
day we were constrained to imploy several Men
at the Pump, unto which purpose we made use of
all our Slaves. This Voyage lasted a whole
Fortnight, all which time we lay under the continual
Frights of perishing every moment. At
last we arrived at a certain Port, called The Bay of
Bleevelt, being so named from a Pirat who used
to resort thither, with the same Design that we
did. Here one party of our Men went into the
Woods to hunt, i'th' mean while that another
undertook to refitt and careen our Vessel.

Our Companions who went abroad to hunt,
found hereabouts Porcupines, of a huge and mon-

strous bigness. But their chief Exercise was killing
of Monkeys, and certain Birds, called by the
Spaniards, Faisanes, or Pheasants. The Toyl and
Labour we had in this Employ of Shooting, did
seem, at least, unto me, to be sufficiently compensated
with the pleasure of killing the said Monkeys.
For at these we usually made 15 or 16
Shot, before we could kill three or four of them.
So nimbly would they escape our Hands and Aim,
even after being desperately wounded. On the
other side, it was delightful to see the FemaleMonkeys
carry their little ones upon their Backs,
even just as the Negra's do their Children. When
any person passeth under the Trees where these
Monkeys are sitting, they will commonly open
their Bellies, and squirt their Excrements upon
their Heads and Cloaths. Likewise, if shooting
at a parcel of them, any Monkey happeneth to be
wounded, the rest of the Company will flock
about him, and lay their Hands upon the Wound,
to hinder the Blood from issuing forth. Others
will gather Moss that groweth upon the Trees,
and thrust it into the Wound, and hereby stop the
Blood. At other times they will gather such or
such Herbs, and chewing them in their Mouth,
apply them after the manner of a Poultis, or Cataplasm.
All which things did cause in me great
Admiration, seeing such strange Actions in those
irrational Creatures, which testified the Fidelity
and Love they had for one another.

On the 9th. day, after our Arrival at that Place,
our Women-Slaves being busied in their ordinary
Employments, of washing Dishes, sewing, drawing
Water out of Wells, which we had made on
the shore, and the like things, we heard great
Cryes of one of them, which said, she had seen 2
Troop of Indians appear towards the Woods,
whereby she began immediately to cry out, Indians,
Indians. We, hearing this Rumour, ran
presently to our Arms, and their Relief. But,

coming unto the Wood, we found no person there,
excepting two of our Women-Slaves killed upon
the Place, with the shot of Arrows. In their Bodies
we saw so many Arrows sticking, as might
seem they had been fixed there with particular
care and leisure. For otherwise we knew, that
one of them alone was sufficient to bereave any
humane Body of Life. These Arrows were all
of a rare fashion and shape, their length being of
8 Feet, and their thickness, of a man's Thumb.
At one of the Extremities hereof, was to be seen
a Hook made of Wood, and tyed to the body of
the Arrow with a String. At the other end was
a certain Case, or Box, like the Case of a pair of
Twizars, in the which we found certain little Pibbles,
or Stones. The Colour thereof was red,
and very shining, as if they had been locked up
some considerable time. All which, we believed,
were Arms belonging to their Captains and Leaders.

[ILLUSTRATION]

A. A Marcasite, which was tyed unto the Extremity
of the Arrow.

B. A Hook, tyed to the same Extremity.

C. The Arrow.

D. The Case, at the other end.

These Arrows were all made without Instruments
of Iron. For whatsoever the Indians make,
they harden it first very artificially with Fire, and
afterwards polish it with Flints.

As to the Nature of these Indians, they are extreamly
robust of Constitution, strong, and nimble
at their Feet. We sought them carefully up
and down the Woods, but could not find the least
trace of them, neither any of their Canows, nor
Floats, whereof they make use to go out to fish.
Hereupon we retired unto our Vessels, where, having
imbarked all our Goods, we put off from the
shore, fearing, least finding us there, they should
return in any considerable number, and, overpowering
our Forces, tear us all in pieces.