Having Lost
Sight Of One Of Their Ships, Of About 100 Tons, And The Wind Growing
More Moderate, They Hoisted
Sail, holding their course N.E. for seven
days, at the end of which they came in sight of certain
Islands, for
which they steered, meaning to have anchored among them, but the weather
would not permit; and the wind coming N.W. they made sail to the W.S.W.
Next day they lost sight of another ship, in very foul weather; so that
the admiral was now left alone, as my ship had been left in the bay
where they remained some time before entering the straits. With this new
storm of adverse wind, they had to proceed southwards, till they came
into the latitude of 57 deg. S. where they entered a bay in an island, and
anchored in twenty fathoms, about a cannon-shot from the shore. After
remaining here three or four days, the wind changed to the south, and
they again made sail to the northwards for two days, when a small
uninhabited island was descried, where they procured many birds and
seals.
Next day they again proceeded, holding their course N. and N.N.E. and
came to the island of Mocha, in 38 deg. 30 S. five or six leagues from the
main, where they anchored in twelve fathoms, a quarter of a league from
the shore. This island is small and low land, all full of Indians. Here
the admiral and twelve Englishmen landed, on purpose to seek fresh water
and provisions, and bought two sheep in exchange of other things from
the Indians, together with a little maize, and some roots of which the
Indians make bread; and being now late, went on board ship for the
night. Next day the admiral again landed with twelve men armed with
muskets, and sent two men with vessels to fetch water. Some Indians lay
in ambush at the watering-place, who suddenly fell upon the two
Englishmen, and made them prisoners; which being perceived by the
admiral and those with him, they advanced to rescue their companions,
but were so sore assailed by stones and arrows, that all or most of them
were hurt, the admiral receiving two wounds from arrows, one in his face
and the other on his head; so that they were compelled to retreat to
their boat, without hurting any of the Indians, who were so bold as even
to carry away four of their oars.
They sailed from hence along the coast to the northwards, with a
southern wind, for six days, passing the harbour of St Jago, and put
into another haven, where they took an Indian, who was fishing in a
canoe, giving him some linen, knives, and other trifles. Not long after
there came another Indian to the ship, whose name was Felippe, and who
spoke Spanish. He gave notice to the English admiral of a certain ship
being in the harbour of St Jago, which they had overpassed six leagues.
So, taking this Indian as their guide, they went back to St Jago, where
they took the said ship, in which were 1770 botijas, or Spanish pots,
full of wine, besides other commodities. They then landed, and took a
quantity of sacks of meal, and whatever else they could find, taking
also the ornaments and relics from the church. They departed then from
thence, taking with them the captured ship, with two of her men, running
along the coast till they came to the latitude of between 30 deg. and 31 deg. S.
where they had appointed to meet, in case of separation. They here
anchored right over against a river, whence they filled six butts of
fresh water, having twelve armed men on land to defend those who filled
the casks. While busied in this work, they saw a company of armed men
coming towards them, half Spaniards and half Indians, being about 250
horse and as many foot, on which they made all haste to get into their
boat, escaping with the loss of one man.
They set sail again that same night, going about ten leagues farther
along the coast, where they took in some more fresh water, but were soon
obliged to quit this place also, by the appearance of some horsemen.
Proceeding thirty leagues farther along the coast, still to the
northwards, they went into a bay or haven, in a desert or uninhabited
place, but seeing some persons daily on the shore, they did not venture
to land. At this place, the English put together the pieces of a small
pinnace, which they had brought ready framed with them from England.
Having launched this pinnace, the English captain went into her with
fifteen men, accompanied by John the Greek, who was chief boatswain,
being master of the ship formerly taken in the harbour of St Jago. At
this time they went to look for the two vessels they had parted from
formerly in a storm, and also in hopes of being able to procure fresh
water; but seeing always persons on shore, they durst not land, and
returned again to the ship without hearing of their other ships. They
now took all the ordnance out of their ship, and new dressed and rigged
her; after which, arming the pinnace with a small piece of ordnance,
they resumed their course to the northwards.
Having sailed thirteen days, they came to an island about the shot of a
culverin from the main, where four fishermen told them of fresh water on
the main; but understanding it was but scanty, and somewhat distant from
the shore, they continued their course. Next day they espied some
fishers houses on shore, when the English captain landed and took three
of the fishers, taking away half of the fish that lay packed on the
shore. The day following they took a bark laden with fish belonging to
the Spaniards, in which were four Indians, and bound it by a rope to the
stem of their ships; but the Indians in the night cut her loose, and
went away.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 24 of 221
Words from 23450 to 24474
of 224764
