This
Island Has A Great Variety Of Birds, Also Great Numbers Of Black Monkeys
And Guanoes, Which Last Mostly Frequent The Streams Of Fresh Water.
Some
of these guanoes are of extraordinary size, being of a grey colour with
black streaks, those about the head being brown.
Quibo is a most
convenient place for procuring wood and water, as the wood grows in
abundance within twenty yards of the sea, and there are several streams
of fresh water crossing the beach.
[Footnote 276: This is a material error. Panama is in lat. 9 deg. N. long.
80 deg. 21' W. while the centre of Quibo is in lat. 7 deg. 28' N. and long. 82 deg.
17' W. from Greenwich. - E.]
Having got clear of this place, and nothing thought of but our speedy
return to Europe by surrendering at Panama, we met with strong adverse
currents, together with calms and contrary winds, by which we were
detained for several days under the mountains of Guanachu. [277] On
the 15th. May, a small bark bore down upon us, mistaking us for
Spaniards. She was called the Holy Sacrament, and came last from
Cheriqui, laden with dried beef, pork; and live hogs. Her master was
much surprised at first, but soon recovered on being told we were bound
for Panama, and readily offered to pilot us thither, as he was bound for
that port; and begged us to take his bark in tow, as he could not fetch
the land, and his hogs were almost dead for want of water, while his
vessel was ready to sink, being so leaky that his people were no longer
able to stand to the pumps. I took her in tow, sending some of my people
to assist in pumping the bark, and even spared some water and maize for
supplying the hogs. The master came on board of my ship, but had heard
no news of any peace or truce between Britain and Spain.
[Footnote 277: Perhaps the Sierra de Canataqua are here meant, which
pervade the country between Montijo Bay and the Bay of Panama, ending in
Point Mariato, of which they seem to have been detained. - E.]
It may seem strange that this opportunity of supplying ourselves with
provisions made no change in our plans; but every one of us was so worn
out by a continual want of all necessaries, and so disheartened by a
perpetual succession of misfortunes, that we were tired of the sea, and
willing to embrace any opportunity of getting ashore, almost at any
rate. I was rejoiced at this bark having fallen into our hands; because,
if we found the story of the governor of Sansonate false, we might be
thoroughly enabled to go to India, with this help. To ascertain this, I
meant to anchor a great way short of Panama, keeping possession of the
bark, in case the president might not agree to safe and honourable
terms, when we still had it in our power to redress ourselves, by
keeping out of his hands.
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