University of Virginia Library

CHAP. VI.

FRom the place where we rejoyned our English Forces,

we all made our way towards a high hammock of
Land, as it appeared at a distance, but was nothing else
then an Island seven Leagues distant from the Bay aforementioned.
On the highest part of this Island the Spaniards
keep a watch, or Look-out, (for so it is termed by the
Sea-men) for fear of Pyrates, or other Enemies. That
evening we arrived at the Island, and being landed, went up
a very steep place, till we came to a little Hut where the
watchman lodged. We took by surprizal the old man who
watched in the place, but hapned to see us not, till we were
got into his Plantane walk before the Lodge. He told us
in his examination, that we were not as yet descryed by the
Spaniards of Panama, or any others that he knew; which
relation of the old fellow much encouraged us to go forwards
with our design of surprizing that rich City. This
place, if I took its name rightly, is called Farol de Plantanos,
or in English, Plantane-watch.

Here, not long before it was dark that evening, a certain
Bark came to an anchor at the outward side of the Island,
which instantly was descryed by us. Hereupon, we
speedily Manned out two Canoas, who went under the
shoar and surprized the said Boat. Having examined the
persons that were on board, we found she had been absent
the space of eight days from Panama, and had landed Soldiers
at a point of Land not far distant from this Island,
with intention to fight and curb certain Indians and Negroes,
who had done much hurt in the Country thereabouts.
The Bark being taken, most of our men endeavoured
to get into her, but more especially those who had
the lesser Canoas. Thus there embarked thereon to the
number of one hundred thirty and seven of our company,
together with that Sea-Artist, and valiant Commander,
Captain Bartholomew Sharp. With him went also on board
Captain Cook, whom we mentioned at the beginning of this
History. The remaining part of that night we lay at the
Key of the said Island, expecting to prosecute our Voyage
the next day.

Morning being come, I changed my Canoa and embarked
my self on another, which though it was something
lesser than the former, yet was furnished with better company.
Departing from the Island, we rowed all day long
over shoal water, at the distance of about a League from
land, having sometimes not above four foot water, and
white ground. In the afternoon we descryed a Bark at
sea, and instantly gave her chace. But the Canoa wherein
was Captain Harris hapned to come up the first with her,
who after a sharp dispute took her. Being taken, we put
on board the said Bark thirty men. But the wind would
not suffer the other Bark in chacing to come up with us.
This pursuit of the Vessel did so far hinder us in our Voyage,
and divide us asunder, that night coming on presently
after, we lost one another, and could no longer keep in a body
together. Hereupon we laid our Canoa ashoar, to take
up our rest for that night, at the distance of two miles,
more or less, from high water mark, and about four Leagues
to Leeward of the Island of Chepillo, unto which place our
course was then directed.

The next morning, as soon as the water began to float

us, we rowed away for the fore-mentioned Island Chepillo,
where by assignation our general Rendezvous was to be. In
our way as we went, we espyed another Bark under sail, as
we had done the day before. Capt. Coxons Canoa was now
the first that came up with this vessel. But a young breese
freshning at that instant, she got away from him after the
first onset, killing in the said Canoa one Mr. Bull, and wounding
two others. We presently conjectured that this Bark
would get before us unto Panama, and give intelligence of
our coming unto those of the Town; all which hapned as
we had foreseen. It was that day two of the clock in the
afternoon, before all our Canoas could come together, and
joyn one another as it was assigned at Chepillo. We took at
that Island fourteen prisoners, between Negros and Mulatos;
also great store of Plantans, and good water, together with
two fat hogs. But now believing that ere this we had been
already descryed at Panama, by the Bark afore-mentioned,
we resolved among our selves to wast no time, but to hasten
away from the said Island, to the intent we might at least
be able to surprize and take their Shipping, and by that
means make our selves masters of those Seas, in case we
could not get the Town, which now we judged almost im-

possible to be done. At Chepillo we took also a Periagua,
which we found at anchor before the Island, and presently
we put some men on board her. Our stay here was
only of few hours; so that about four of the clock in the
evening, which now was coming on, we rowed away from
thence, designing to reach Panama before the next morning;
unto which place we had now only seven Leagues to
go, it being no farther distant from Chepillo. But before
we departed from the said Island, it was judged convenient
by our Commanders, for certain reasons, which I could
not dive into, to rid their hands of the prisoners which we

had taken. And hereupon orders were given unto our
Indians, who they knew would perform them very willingly,
to fight, or rather to murther and slay the said Prisoners
upon the shoar, and that in the view of the whole
Fleet. This they instantly went about to do, being glad of
this opportunity to revenge their hatred against their enemies,
though in cold blood. But the prisoners, although
they had no Arms wherewith to defend themselves, forced
their way through those barbarous Indians, in spight of their
Lances, Bows, and Arrows, and got into the Woods of the
Island, one only man of them being killed. We rowed
all night long, though many showers of rain ceased not
to fall.