University of Virginia Library

CHAP. XII.

HAving taken in at the Isle of Plate, what Provisions

and other Necessaries we could get, we set sail from
thence on Tuesday the 17th of August, 1680. in prosecution
of our Voyage and designs above-mentioned, to take
and plunder the vastly rich Town of Arica. This day we
sailed so well, and the same we did several others afterwards,
that we were forced to lye by several times, besides reifing
our top-sails, to keep our other ship company, least we
should loose her again.

The next morning about break of day, we found our

selves to be at the distance of seven or eight Leagues to
the Westward of the Island from whence we departed,
standing W. by S. with a S. by W. wind. About noon that
day we had laid the land. After dinner the wind came at
S. S. W. at which time we were forced to stay more than
once for the other vessel belonging to our company.

On the following day we continued in like manner a
west course all the day long. Sometimes this day the
wind would change, but then in a quarter of an hour it
would return to S. S. W. again as before. Hereabouts
where we now were, we observed great riplings of the Sea.

August the twentieth, yesterday in the afternoon about
six of the clock, we stood in S. E. But all night and all
this day, we had very small winds. We found still that

we gained very much of the small ship, which did not a
little both perplex and hinder us in our course.

The next day likewise we stood in S. E. by S. though
with very little wind, which sometimes varyed, as was mentioned
above. That day I finished two Quadrants; each

of which were two foot and a half radius. Here we
had in like manner, as hath been mentioned on other days
of our sailings, very many Dolphins, and other sorts of fish
swimming about our ship.

On the morning following we saw again the Island of
Plate at N E. of our ship, giving us this appearance at that
distance of Prospect.

[ILLUSTRATION]

Isle of PLATE.

The same day at the distance of six Leagues more or
less from the said Island, we saw another Island, called So-

lango. This Isle lyeth close in by the Main-land. In the
evening we observed it to bare E. N. E. from us. Our
course was S. E. by S. and had the wind at S. W. by S. This
day likewise we found that our lesser ship was still a great
hindrance to our sailing, as being sorced to lye by, and
stay for her two or three hours every day. We experimented
likewise, that the farther from shoar we were, the
less wind we had all along; and that under the shoar we
were always sure of a fresh gale, though not so favourable
unto us as we could wish it to be. Hitherto we had used
to stand off forty Leagues, and yet notwithstanding in the
space of six days, we had not got above ten Leagues on our
voyage, from the place of our departure.

August the twenty third, this day the wind was S. W.
by S. and S. S. W. In the morning we stood off. The
Island Solango, at N. E. by N. appeareth thus:

[ILLUSTRATION]

Isle of SOLANGO.

At S. by W. and about six Leagues distance from us, we

descryed a long and even hill. I took it to be an Island,
and conjectured it might be at least eight Leagues distant
from the Continent. But afterwards we found it was a
point of Land joyning unto the Main, and is called Point
St. Helena, being continued by a piece of Land which lyeth
low, and in several places is almost drowned from the
sight; so that it cannot be seen at two Leagues distance.
In this low-land the Spaniards have convenience for making
Pitch, Tar, Salt, and some other things, for which
purpose they have several houses here, and a Fryar, who
serveth them as their Chaplain. From the Island of Solango,
unto this place, are reckoned eleven leagues, more or
less. The Land is hereabouts indifferent high, and is likewise
full of Bays. We had this day very little wind to
help us in our Voyage, excepting what blasts came now
and then in snatches. These sometimes would prove pretty
fair unto us, and allow us for some little while a South
course. But our chiefest course was S. E. by S. The point
of St. Helen at South half East, and about six Leagues distance,
giveth exactly this appearance as followeth.

[ILLUSTRATION]

Punta de Santa HELENA.

Here we found no great current of the Sea to move
any way. At the Isle of Plata, afore described, the Sea
ebbeth and floweth nigh thirteen foot perpendicular. About
four Leagues to Leeward of this Point is a deep Bay, having
a Key at the mouth of it, which taketh up the better
part of its wideness. In the deepest part of the Bay
on shoar, we saw a great smoak, which was at a Village belonging
to the Bay; unto which place the people were removed
from the Point above-mentioned. This afternoon
we had a small Westerly wind, our course being S. S. W.
Hereabouts it is all along a very bold shoar. At three of
the clock after noon, we tackt about to clear our selves of

the Point. Being now a little way without the Point, we
espied a sail, which we conceived to be a Bark. Hereupon,
we hoisted out our Canoa, and sent in pursuit of her, which
made directly for the shoar. But the sail proved to be nothing
else, then a pair of Bark-Logs, which arriving on
shoar, the men spread their sail on the sand of the Bay to
dry. At the same time there came down upon the shoar
an Indian on horseback, who hallowed unto our Canoa,
which had followed the Logs. But our men fearing to
discover who we were, in case they went too near the shoar,
left the design and returned back unto us. In these parts the
Indians have no Canoas, nor any wood indeed that may be
thought fit to make them of. Had we been descryed by
these poor people, they would in all probability have been
very fearful of us. But they offered not to stir, which gave
us to understand, they knew us not. We could perceive
from the ship a great path leading unto the Hills. So that
we believed this place to be a look-out, or watch-place, for
the security of Guayaquil. Between four and five we doubled
the point, and then we descryed the Point Chandy,
at the distance of six Leagues S. S. E. from this point. At
first sight it seemed like unto a long Island, but withal,
lower then that of St. Helena.

Tuesday August the 24th, this day at noon we took the

other ship wherein Captain Cox sailed into a Tow, she being
every day a greater hinderance than before unto our
Voyage. Thus about three in the afternoon we lost sight
of land, in standing over for Cape Blanco. Here we found
a strong current to move unto the S. W. The wind was
at S. W. by S. our course being S. by E. At the upper end
of this Gulf, which is framed by the two Capes aforementioned,
standeth the City of Guayaquil, being a very
rich place, and the Embarcadero, or Sea-port unto the great
City of Quito. Unto this place likewise, many of the Merchants
of Lima do usually send the Money they design for
Old Spain in Barks, and by that means save the Custom that
otherwise they should pay unto the King by carrying it on
board of the Fleet. Hither cometh much Gold from
Quito, and very good and strong broad-cloath, together
with Images for the use of the Churches, and several other
things of considerable value. But more especially
Cacao-nut, whereof Chocolate is made, which is supposed
here to be the best in the whole Universe. The Town of
Guayaquil consisteth of about one hundred and fifty great
houses, and twice as many little ones. This was the
Town unto which Captain Sawkins intended to make his
Voyage, as was mentioned above. When ships of greater
burthen come into this Gulf, they anchor without Lapina,
and then put their lading into lesser Vessels to carry it unto
the Town. Towards the evening of this day, a small
breez sprung up, varying from point to point. After
which, about nine of the clock at night we tacked about,
and stood off to Sea, W. by N.

As soon as we had tackt, we hapned to espy a Sail N.N.E.
from us. Hereupon, we instantly cast off our other Vessel,
which we had in a Tow, and stood round about after
them. We came very near unto the vessel before they
saw us, by reason of the darkness of the night. As soon as
they espied us, they immediately clapt on a wind, and sailed
very well before us; insomuch, that it was a pretty while
before we could come up with them, and within call. We
halled them in Spanish, by means of an Indian prisoner,
and commanded them to lower their top-fails. They answered,
they would soon make us to lower our own. Hereupon,
we fired several Guns at them, and they as thick at
us again with their Harquibusses. Thus they fought us
for the space of half an hour, or more, and would have
done it longer, had we not killed the man at the Helm;
after whom, none of the rest dared to be so hardy as to
take his place. With another of our shot we cut in pieces
and disabled their main-top halliards. Hereupon, they
cryed out for Quarter, which we gave them, and entred
their ship. Being possessed of the Vessel, we found in her
five and thirty men: of which number twenty four were
Natives of Old Spain. They had one and thirty fire arms
on board the ship for their defence. They had not fought
us, as they declared afterwards, but only out of a bravado,
having promised on shoar so to do, in case they met us at
Sea. The Captain of this Vessel was a person of Quality,
and his Brother, since the death of Don Jacinto de Barahona,
killed by us in the Engagement before Panama,
was now made Admiral of the Sea Armada. With him
we took also in this Bark, five or six other persons of Quality.
They did us in this fight, though short, very great
damage in our Rigging, by cutting it in pieces. Besides
which, they wounded two of our men. And a third man
was wounded by the negligence of one of our own men,
occasioned by a Pistol which went off unadvisedly. About
eleven of the clock this night we stood off to the West.

The next morning about break of day, we hoisted out

our Canoa, and went aboard the Bark which we had taken
the night before. We transported on board our own ship
more of the Prisoners taken in the said vessel, and began
to examine them, to learn what intelligence we could from
them. The Captain of the vessel, who was a very civil
and meek Gentleman, satisfyed our desires in this point
very exactly, saying unto us: Gentlemen, I am now your prisoner
at War by the over-ruling providence of fortune; and
moreover, am very well satisfyed that no money whatsoever can
procure my ransom, at least for the present at your hands.
Hence I am perswaded, it is not my interest to tell you a Lye;
which if I do, I desire you to punish me as severely as you shall
think fit. We heard of your taking and destroying our Armadilla,
and other ships at Panama, about six weeks after that
Engagement, by two several Barks which arrived here from
thence. But they could not inform us whether you designed
to come any farther to the Southward; but rather, desired
we would send them speedily all the help by Sea that we could.
Hereupon, we sent the noise and rumour of your being in these
Seas, by land unto Lima, desiring they would expedite what
succours they could send to joyn with ours. We had at that
time in our Harbour two or three great ships, but all of them
very unfit to sail. For this reason, at Lima, the Vice-Roy of
Peru pressed three great Merchant ships, into the biggest of
which he put Fourteen brass guns; into the second, Ten; and
in the other Six. Unto these he added two Barks, and put
seven hundred and fifty Souldiers on board them all. Of this
number of men they landed eightscore at Point St. Helena;
all the rest being carryed down to Panama, with design to fight
you there. Besides these Forces, two other men of War, bigger
than the afore-mentioned, are still lying at Lima, and fitting
out there in all speed to follow and pursue you. One of these
men of war is equipped with thirty six brass guns, and the other
with thirty. These ships, beside their complement of seamen,
have four hundred Souldiers added unto them by the
Vice-Roy. Another man of war belonging to this number,
and lesser than the afore-mentioned, is called the Patache.
This ship consisteth of twenty four guns, and was sent to Arica
to fetch the Kings Plate from thence. But the Vice-Roy having
received intelligence of your exploits at Panama, sent
for this ship back from thence with such hast, that they came
away and left the Money behind them. Hence the Patache
now lyeth at the Port of Callao, ready to sail on the first occasion,
or news of your arrival thereabouts: they having for
this purpose sent unto all parts very strict orders to keep a
good look-out on all sides, and all places along the Coasts. Since
this, from Manta they sent us word, that they had seen two
Ships at sea pass by that place. And from the Goat Key also
we heard, that the Indians had seen you, and that they were
assured, one of your vessels was the ship called la Trinidad,
which you had taken before Panama, as being a ship very well
known in these Seas. From hence we concluded, that your design
was to ply, and make your Voyage thereabouts. Now this
Bark wherein you took us prisoners being bound for Panama,
the Governour of Guayaquil sent us out before her departure,
if possible to discover you. Which if we did, we were to run
the Bark on shoar and get away, or else to fight you with these
Souldiers and fire arms that you see. As soon as we heard of
your being in these Seas, we built two Forts, the one of six Guns,
and the other of four, for the defence of the Town. At the
last Muster taken in the Town of Guayaquil, we had there eight
hundred and fifty men, of all colours; but when we came out,
we left only two hundred men that were actually under Arms.
Thus ended the Relation of that worthy Gentleman.
About noon that day we unrigged the Bark which we had
taken, and after so doing sunk her. Then we stood S.S.E.
and afterwards S. by W. and S.S.W. That evening we saw
Point St. Helena at North half East, at the distance of nine
Leagues more or less.

The next day, being August the 26th, in the morning
we stood S. That day we cryed out all our pillage, and
found that it amounted unto 3276 Pieces of Eight, which
was accordingly divided by shares amongst us. We also
punished a Fryar, who was Chaplain to the Bark afore-
mentioned, and shot him upon the deck, casting him overboard
before he was dead. Such cruelties though I abhorred
very much in my heart, yet here was I forced to
hold my tongue and contradict them not, as having not
authority to oversway them. About ten of the clock
this morning we saw Land again, and the Pilot said we
were sixteen Leagues to leeward of Caho Blanco. Hereupon
we stood off and in, close under the shoar; the which
all appeared to be barren land.

The morning following we had very little wind; so

that we advanced but slowly all that day. To windward
of us we could perceive the Continent to be all high land,
being whitish clay, full of white Cliffts. This morning
in common discourse, our Prisoners confessed unto us, and
acknowledged the destruction of one of our little Barks,
which we lost in our way to the Island of Cayboa. They
stood away, as it appeared by their information, for the
Goat-key, thinking to find us there, as having heard Captain
Sawkins say, that he would go thither. On their
way they hapned to fall in with the Island of Gallo, and
understanding its weakness by their Indian Pilot, they
ventured on shoar, and took the place, carrying away three
white women in their company. But after a small time
of Cruising, they returned again to the aforesaid Island,
where they stayed the space of two or three days: after
which time they went out to sea again. Within three or
four days they came to a little Key four Leagues distant
from this Isle. But mean while they had been out and in
thus several times, one of their prisoners made his escape
unto the Main, and brought off from thence fifty men
with fire-arms. These placing themselves in Ambuscade,
at the first volly of their shot, they killed six of the seven
men that belonged unto the Bark. The other man that
was left took quarter of the enemy; and he it was that
discovered unto them our design upon the Town of Guayaquil.
By an observation which we made this day, we
found our selves to be in the latitude of 3 d. 50. S. At
this time our prisoners told us, there was an Embargo laid
on all the Spanish ships, commanding them not to stir out
of the Ports, for fear of their falling into our hands at
Sea.

Saturday August the 28th, this morning we took out all
the water, and most part of the flower that was in Captain
Cox's vessel. The people in like manner came on board
our ship. Having done this, we made a hole in the vessel,
and left her to sink, with a small old Canoa at her stern.
To Leeward of Manta, a League from shoar, in eighteen
fathom water, there runneth a great current outwards.
About eleven in the forenoon we weighed Anchor, with a
wind at W. N. W. turning it out. Our number now in all
being reckoned, we found our selves to be one hundred and
forty men, two boys, and fifty five prisoners, being all
now in one and the same bottom. This day we got six
or seven Leagues in the winds eye.

All the day following we had a very strong S. S. W.
wind; insomuch, that we were forced to sail with two
riffs in our main-top sail, and one also in our sore-top sail.
Here Captain Peralta told us, that the first place which the
Spaniards settled in these parts, after Panama, was Tumbes,
a place that now was to Leeward of us, in this Gulph
where we now were. That there a Priest went ashoar
with a Cross in his hand, while ten thousand Indians stood
gazing at him. Being landed on the strand, there came
out of the woods two Lyons; that he laid the Cross gently
on their backs, and they instantly fell down and worshipped
it: and moreover, that two Tigres following them,
did the same; whereby these Animals gave unto the Indians
to understand the excellency of the Christian Religion,
which they soon after embraced. About four in the evening
we came abreast the Cape, which is the highest part
of all. The Land hereabouts appeareth to be barren and
rockey. At three Leagues distance East from us, the Cape
shewed thus:

[ILLUSTRATION]

Cape BLANCO.

Were it not for a windward Current which runneth under
the shoar hereabouts, it were totally impossible for any
ships to get about this Cape; there being such a great
current to Leeward in the offing. In the last Bark which
we took, of which we spoke in this Chapter, we made
Prisoner one Nicolas Moreno, a Spaniard by Nation, and
who was esteemed to be a very good Pilot of the South Sea.
This man did not cease continually to praise our ship for
her failing, and especially for the alterations we had made
in her. As we went along, we observed many Bays to
lye between this Cape and Point Parina, of which we shall
soon make mention hereafter.

In the night the wind came about to S. S. E. and we had

a very stiff gale of it. So that by break of day the next
morning, we found our selves to be about five Leagues distance
to windward of the Cape afore-mentioned. The
Land hereabouts maketh three or four several Bays, and
groweth lower and lower, by how much the nigher we
come unto Punta Parina. This Point sheweth it self at
first sight thereof like unto two Islands. Between four and
five of the clock that evening, we were West from the said
Point.

The next day likewise, being the last day of August, the
wind still continued S. S. E. as it had done the whole day
before. This day we thought it convenient to stand farther
out to sea, for fear of being descryed at Paita, which

now was not very far distant from us. The morning proved
to be hasey. But about eleven we espied a Sail, which
stood then just as we did, E. by S. Coming nearer unto it,
by degrees we found her to be nothing else than a pair of
Bark-logs under a sail, which were going that way. Our
Pilot advised us not to meddle with those Logs, nor mind
them in the least, for it was very doubtful whether we should
be able to come up with them or not; and then by giving
chace unto them, we should easily be descryed and known
to be the English Pirates, as they called us. These Barklogs
sail excellently well for the most part, and some of
them are of such a bigness, that they will carry two hundred
and fifty packs of Meal from the Valleys unto Panama,
without wetting any of it. This day by an observation
made, we found our selves to be in four degrees fifty five
Latitude South. Point Parina at N.E. by E. and at the distance
of six Leagues more or less, giveth this following
appearance.

[ILLUSTRATION]

Punta PARINA.

At the same time la Silla de Paita bore from us S.E by
E. being distant only seven or eight Leagues. It had the
form of a high Mountain, and appeared thus unto us.

[ILLUSTRATION]

La Silla de PAITA.

The Town of Paita it self is situated in a deep Bay, about
two Leagues to Leeward of this Hill. It serveth for
an Embarcadero, or Port Town, unto another great place
which is distant from thence about thirteen Leagues higher
in the Country, and is called Piura, being seated in a very

barren Country.

On Wednesday the first of September, our course was
S. by W. The midnight before this day we had a landwind
that sprung up. In the afternoon La Silla de Paita,
at the distance of seven Leagues, at E. by N. appeareth thus.

[ILLUSTRATION]

La Silla de PAITA.

All along hereabouts is nothing but barren land, as was
said before. Hereabouts likewise for three or four days
last past, we observed along the Coasts many Seales.

That night as we sailed, we saw something that appeared
unto us to be as it were a light. And the next morn-

ing we espyed a sail, from whence we judged the light had
come. The vessel was at the distance of six Leagues from
us, in the winds eye, and thereupon we gave her chace.
She stood to windward as we did. This day we had an
observation, which gave us the Lat. 5 d. 30 S. At night
we were about four Leagues to Leeward of her; but so
great a Mist fell, that we suddainly lost sight of her. At
this time the weather was as cold with us as in England in
November. Every time we went about with our ship, the
other did the like. Our Pilot told us, that this ship set
forth from Guayaqnil eleven days before they were taken.
And that she was laden with Rigging, Woollen, and Cotton
Cloath, and other Manufactures made at Quito. Moreover,
that he had heard that they had spent a Mast, and
had put into Paita to refit it.

The night following; they shewed us several lights
through their negligence, which they ought not to have
done, for by that means we steered directly after them.
The next morning she was more than three Leagues in
the winds eye distant from us. Had they suspected us, it
could not be doubted, but they would have made away towards
the Land; but they seemed not to fly nor stir for
our chace. The Land here all along is level, and not very
high. The weather was hasey, so that about eleven of
the clock that morning we lost sight of her. At this time

we had been for the space of a whole week, at an allowance
of only two draughts of water each day, so scarce
were Provisions with us. That afternoon we saw the vessel
again, and at night we were not full two Leagues distant
from her, and not more than half a League to Leeward.
We made short trips all the night long.

On Saturday, September the Fourth, about break of day,
we saw the ship again, at the distance of a League, more or
less, and not above a mile to windward of us. They stood
out assoon as they espied us, and we stood directly after
them. Having pursued them for several hours, about four
of the clock in the Afternoon, we came up within the distance

of half our small Arms shot, to windward of them.
Hereupon they perceiving who we were, presently lower'd
all their Sails at once and we cast dice among our selves for
the first entrance. The lot fell to larboard; so that
twenty men belonging to that watch, entred her. In the
Vessel were found Fifty packs of Cacao-nut, such as Choco-

late is made of, many packs of Raw-silk, Indian cloth, and
Thred-stockings; these things being the principal part of
her Cargo. We stood out S. W. by S. all the night following.

The next day being come, we transported on board our
ship the chiefest part of her lading. In her hold we found
some Rigging, as had been told us by Nicholas Moreno our
Pilot, taken in the former Vessel off of Guayaquil: but the
greatest part of the Hold was full of Timber. We took
out of her also some Osenbriggs, of which we made Topgallant
fails, as shall be said hereafter. It was now nineteen
days, as they told us, since they set sail from Guyaquil;
and then they had onely heard there of our Exploits before
Panama, but did not so much as think of our coming
so far to the Southward, which did not give them the least
suspicion of us, though they had seen us for the space of
two or three days before at Sea, and always steering after
them; otherwise they had made for the land, and endeavoured
to escape our hands.

The next morning likewise we continued to take in the

remaining part of what goods we desired out of our Prize.
When we had done, we sent most of our Prisoners on board
the said vessel, and left only their fore-mast standing, all
the rest being cut down by the board. We gave them a
fore-sail to sail withal; all their own water, and some of
our flour to serve them for Provisions; and thus we turned
them away, as not caring to be troubled or encumbred
with too many of their company. Notwithstanding
we detained still several of the chiefest of our prisoners.
Such were Don Thomas de Argandona, who was Commander
of the vessel taken before Guayaquil; Don Christoval,
and Don Baltazar, both Gentlemen of Quality taken with
him; Captain Peralta, Captain Juan Moreno, the Pilot,
and twelve slaves, of whom we intended to make good
use, to do the drudgery of our ship. At this time I reckoned
that we were about the distance of thirty five Leagues,
little more or less from Land. Moreover, by an observation
made this day, we found Lat. 7. d. 1. S. Our plunder
being over, and our Prize turned away, we sold both
Chests, Boxes, and several other things at the Mast, by the
voice of a Cryer.

On the following day we stood S. S. W. and S. W. by S.

all day long. That day one of our company dyed, named
Robert Montgomery, being the same man who was shot by
the negligence of one of our own men with a Pistol
through the leg, at the taking of the vessel before Guayaquil,
as was mentioned above. We had an observation also
this day, by which we now found Lat. 7. d. 26. S. On
the same day likewise we made a dividend, and shared all
the booty taken in the last Prize. This being done, we
hoisted into our ship the Lanch which we had taken in her,
as being useful unto us. All these days last past, it was ob-
served, that we had every morning a dark cloud in the
sky; the which in the North Sea would certainly foretell
a storm; but here it always blew over.

Wednesday September the eighth in the morning, we

threw our dead man above-mentioned into the Sea, and
gave him three French Volleys for his Funeral-Ceremony.
In the night before this day, we saw a light belonging to
some vessel at sea. But we stood away from it, as not desiring
to see any more sails to hinder us in our voyage towards
Arica, whither now we were designed. This Light
was undoubtedly from some ship to Leeward of us; but
on the next morning we could descry no sail. Here I
judged we had made a S. W. by S. way from Paita, and by
an observation found 8. d. 00. S.