Chapter M (9)

At the time when they should have passed the straits of Magellan, they were in consultation, if not worse employed, at Santos; and after they set sail they were attacked by a storm, of which Cavendish himself says, “a _worser_ might not be endured. Such was the fury of the west-south-west winds, as we were driven from the shore four hundred leagues, and constrained to beat from 50 deg. to the southward into 40 degrees to the northward again, before we could come near the shore; in which time we had a new shift of sails clean blown away, and our ship in danger to sink in the sea three times; which with extremity of men’s labour we recovered.” Here the reason that prevented Cavendish’s arrival at Port Desire till the 18th of March, 12 days after the Desire and Roebuck, is fully explained. And after he had refitted his ship and refreshed his men, and was ready to sail, he goes on in the same letter, which is directed to Sir Tristriam Gorges, “And now,” says he, “we were almost four months beating between the coast of Brazil and the straits, being in distance not above 600 leagues, which is commonly run in twenty or thirty days; but such was the adverseness of our fortune, that in coming thither we spent the summer, and found in the straits the beginning of a most extreme winter, not durable for Christians.”

After this concession, compared with what the writer of Davis’s voyage has related of the sufferings of his people, let the reader determine with what justice Cavendish arraigns Davis, when he attributes to the villainy of that officer his own death, and the ruin of the voyage.

But to pursue the narrative of the General’s proceedings from the time of his parting with the Desire and Black Pinnace in the night of the 20th of May, as already related in the preceding voyage. It appears indeed, that he continued his course to the coast of Brazil accompanied by the Roebuck, which, however, was parted from him in lat. 36° S. in one of the most grievous storms, as he himself confesses, that any Christians ever endured upon the seas to live, in which the Roebuck sprung her masts, and was otherwise so much damaged as to arrive in the bay of St. Vincent in the greatest distress, being little better than a mere wreck.

The General himself suffered considerably, and was forced to take shelter likewise in the same bay, though the little town of St. Vincent they had burnt on their leaving Santos the summer before. Here twenty-five of his men, getting drunk on shore, were suddenly set upon by the Portuguese, in revenge for their former treatment, and every man of them slaughtered. To revenge this treachery, as it is called, Cavendish determined to attack Santos, and to level it with the ground; and now, being joined by the crew of the Roebuck, he landed above the town, but was most shamefully repulsed, after having plundered a few farm-houses, and, as it should seem the custom was, set them on fire.

Here being disappointed of his revenge, he departed with a view to attack a small inhabited island about twenty leagues to the westward; from whence, when he had provided himself with such necessaries as the island could afford, he intended, according to his promise, and agreeable to the expectations of Davis, to have returned to the straits of Magellan, and to have proceeded to the South Seas in prosecution of his first design. But there seemed a fatality attending every measure he devised.

He was diverted from the prosecution of this enterprize by the persuasions of a Portuguese pilot on board, who advised the attack of Spirito Santo, as the only place that could supply his wants, and enable him to refit his ships. In this undertaking he lost fourscore of his men killed, and forty wounded. And now, having no alternative, but either to return home, or to burn one of his ships for want of hands, and proceed with the other to the straits; the crew of the Roebuck, fearing, as they well might, that theirs was the ship destined for the flames, watched their opportunity when their Captain was sick on board the General, to make their escape in the night, taking with them both the surgeons, and, as Cavendish says, double the proportion of provisions for their number of men, “having with them at their departure but six and forty men, and carrying away with them the proportion for six months victual of 120 men at large.” Yet it is not easy to reconcile the truth of this assertion with the distresses for want of provisions which are all along complained of from their first arrival on the coast of Brazil in the summer to the present time. In the straits of Magellan, it is asserted, that, to save their victuals, they were forced in a great measure to live upon sea-weeds, muscles, periwincles, and the fruits of the country; for, says Knivet, the allowance from the ship was but little.--But to proceed:

Cavendish, finding himself thus forsaken, every-where disappointed, betrayed, as he complains, and distressed to the last extremity, his ship full of sick and wounded, and himself with a wounded spirit, directed his course to the island of St. Sebastian, 200 leagues to the westward of Spirito Santo, where he arrived when he had but just one cask of water left. Here he set 20 of his sick men ashore; and, having refitted his ship, and refreshed his people, he wanted very much to have sailed back to the straits: “But, says his biographer, his mutinous crew obliged him to sail for England;” and he died before his return.

In his letter to Sir Tristriam Gorges, which appears to have been written a little before his death, he discovers the utmost perturbation of mind. “And now, says he, what with grief for the loss of my most dear cousin [John Lock], and the continual trouble I endured among such hell-hounds [his ship’s crew], wishing myself upon any desart place in the world, there to die, rather than thus basely to return home again; which course I had put in execution, had I found an island which the charts make to be in eight degrees to the southward of the Line. I swear to you I sought it with all diligence, meaning (if I had found it) there to have ended my unfortunate life. But God suffered not such happiness to light upon me; for I could by no means find it; so was forced to come towards England.”

The bitterness which he expresses against his crew might, and did, probably, arise from their determined resolution not to expose themselves to the like hardships they had already undergone, and in which the major part of their companions were suffered to perish without pity, and to languish without relief: for, if we may believe Jane, the sick men on board the General were most uncharitably put on shore into the woods in the straits of Magellan; where, according to Cavendish’s own account, “there was nothing but such flights of snow, and extremities of frosts, as in his life he had never beheld or felt the like. The men, adds he, were well in the morning, and by night frozen to death.” In this miserable manner, in seven or eight days, 40 of his crew actually perished, and 70 more sickened.

Of the ships that sailed in this expedition, consisting of five sail, we can trace only three that returned to England, namely, the Galleon, otherwise named the Leicester, of which the General was Commander; the Dainty, commanded by Captain Cotton, who went a volunteer, and whose ship, having parted company on her first arrival on the coast of Brazil, instead of pursuing her voyage to the South Seas, returned back to England with very little damage.

The Roebuck, in which sailed from Plymouth 170 brave seamen, after stealing away from the General in the night, as already related, was never more heard of; the Black Pinnace foundered in a violent storm in the South Sea, and in her about 70 men. Of the crews of the Desire, only 26 out of 150 lived to see their native country; and, of the General’s ship, though the number that perished cannot be exactly ascertained, yet there could not more than 50 at most survive their General.

Now, if the gallant actions and glorious exploits that entitle men to fame and immortality, involve in their atchievement so many of their fellow-creatures in misery, let the benevolent and humane unite with us in depreciating such murderous practices; and, instead of holding forth a Drake, or a Cavendish, as examples worthy of imitation, let us hold in detestation all those false worthies, whose actions have their rise in “a ravenous appetite for robbery, and in an insatiable desire of acquiring wealth without industry, and greatness without virtue.”

THE
VOYAGES
OF
CAPT. WILLIAM DAMPIER.

Among the Navigators who first surrounded the globe, Captain William Dampier, considered as a Mariner and Naturalist, will ever be held in the foremost rank. From his Voyages the world received the earliest and best information of remote countries, and their genuine productions; and it is on his plan that future navigators have thought fit to proceed in giving an account of new discoveries. His history will afford a notable instance of the power of genius and application unassisted by learning, when the mind is wholly bent upon the pursuit and improvement of one art.

He was the son of parents who lived in the parish of East Coker, in Somersetshire, reputable, but not rich. While they lived they gave him an education very ill suited to a sea-faring life; but they both dying when he was yet young, those to whose care he was entrusted removed him from the grammar-school, and put him to an English school to learn writing and accompts. Here he did not remain long before an opportunity offered of placing him with the master of a ship at Weymouth, agreeable to the inclinations which he had very early discovered of going to sea; a lesson to parents and guardians to consult the genius of children, if they would wish them to rise to eminence in the profession to which they are bred.

With this master he made a short voyage to France, and was highly gratified: but, his next voyage being to Newfoundland, where he was employed a whole summer in the fishery, the rigour of the climate and the nature of the service so cooled his ardour for sea-adventures, that he determined to relinquish the employment, and return to his friends.

He was now eighteen years of age; and, after leading for some time an idle life, finding his friends begin to look cool upon him, he formed a resolution to leave the country, and to try his fortune in town. His course of life, and the natural bent of his inclination, led him to seek the company of sea-faring companions, who, being pleased with his jovial humour, encouraged him to resume his old employment, to which, having an opportunity to enter on board an Indiaman, he was easily persuaded.

In this ship, the John and Martha, Captain Earning, he sailed to Bantam, in quality of a foremastman; and in little more than a year returned to England, perfectly reconciled to the business of a mariner, which, by the severity of the service he was first employed in, he had determined never to follow.

In this voyage, by favour of the master of the ship, he learned the rudiments of the art of navigation, in which he afterwards became a great proficient; but he had not yet learned to keep a journal. It should seem that he employed the following year, after his Indian voyage, in improving those hints which he received from the master, and in qualifying himself for an easier and more advantageous birth, than that of going before the mast for the future. With this view he retired again into the country, and spent the summer with his brother. But, tired of a studious life, he embraced the occasion of the Dutch war, to enter on board the Royal Prince, commanded by Sir Edward Sprague, but in what station does not appear. He tells us, indeed, that he was in two engagements; but that, falling sick, he was put on board the hospital ship, and saw the third only at a distance, in which his Commander was unfortunately killed: so that he does not seem to have risen higher at this period than the ordinary rank of an able seaman.

Being soon after removed to Harwich among the rest of the sick and wounded, he there languished till the conclusion of the Dutch war, when he received his discharge; and then returned again to Somersetshire for the recovery of his health; which was no sooner restored than he prepared again to go to sea.

But Colonel Hellier, a neighbouring Gentleman, having a large plantation in Jamaica, being acquainted with his resolution, made him an offer of going there as a superintendant, with a handsome appointment; which he very readily accepted; and, about the beginning of the year 1674, embarked for Jamaica. But he soon grew tired of land service; his roving disposition still inclining him to seek the sea. The road, he says, to take possession of his new office, when he arrived at Jamaica, was formerly a great way round: but Mr. Hellier, the Colonel’s brother, being desirous of shortening the way, coasted along the river with some companions, till they found it run between rocks that rose perpendicular on both sides: they endeavoured to climb that which intercepted the way to the plantation: but, while they with the utmost danger and difficulty were surmounting the rock, a dog they had with them found a more convenient passage through a hole. This suggested to Mr. Hellier a new track: so by blowing up some fragments of the rock in one part, and levelling some hollows in others, a passage was obtained wide enough for a loaded horse. By this accidental discovery the road was shortened near one half.

He was now in his 22d year. In six months after his arrival at Jamaica he was tired of his superintendency, and quitted it; and soon after engaged in a trade with the logwood-cutters in Campeachy bay; which trade he followed near three years, and then commenced logwood-cutter himself. Unsettled in his mind, and still eager in pursuit of new adventures, in less than a year he quitted the logwood-cutters; and about the beginning of 1678, returned to England.

In 1679, we find him again returned to Jamaica, with a cargo of merchandize, which being sold at Port Royal, he furnished himself with other goods, such as he knew he could carry to a good market at Campeachy; and by this advantageous traffic, he so enriched himself, as to be able to purchase an estate in his own country, of one whom he knew had a good title to it. And now, sufficiently happy, he was preparing to return home; when one Mr. Hobby invited him to make a short trading voyage to the Moskito-shore, a part of the world he had not yet seen. This invitation to embark in a new adventure he could not resist and, therefore, sent home the writings of his late purchase to his brother, with the same friends whom he purposed to have accompanied to England himself, and then went on board with Mr. Hobby.

The Moskitos, he says, are Indians that inhabit the main, between the Honduras and Nicaragua. They are tall, well-made, raw-boned, lusty, strong, and nimble of foot, long visaged, have lank black hair, look stern, are hard favoured, and of a dark copper-coloured complexion. They are but a small nation; the same, perhaps, that Drake calls Symerons. They are very dexterous at throwing the lance, fisgig, harpoon, or any manner of dart, being bred to it from their infancy; for, the children, imitating their parents, never go abroad without a lance, which they throw indifferently at almost every object that falls in their way, till by constant practice they become masters of the art. They next learn to parry a lance, arrow, or dart; and the training of them to this exercise is in this manner: Two boys place themselves at a small distance, and throw light blunt lances at each other; one throws the lance, and the other parries, alternately. He that parries holds a small stick in his right hand, with which he turns aside the lance that is darted at him: and, by constantly practising in this manner, they at last become so dexterous, that they will shoot arrows at each other, and parry them as fast as they are shot. This they will do with a small stick no bigger than the rammer of an ordinary fowling-piece.

Before they arrive at manhood, they become so dexterous, that they disregard the arrows of their enemies; and, unless they are poured thick upon them, and come more than one at a time, they will suffer not one in a thousand to hit them.

They are no less expert at striking of fish; and two or three of them will in those seas maintain a ship’s company of 100 men. Turtle and manatee are their principal pursuit: the former will commonly weigh 600 weight; and two Moskito-men will strike two of them a-day, while the season lasts, for many days together. The manatee is known also by the name of the sea-cow, and is struck with a harpoon, so contrived by the Moskito-men as to be thrown with a long stick; but they are very cautious of discovering their art even to the English--the Spaniards they hate mortally. The turtle they strike with a different instrument, of which our author has given a cut.

About this time the æra of buccaneering commences. The buccaneers were a set of low men, who, in humble imitation of their betters, first began with fitting out small vessels in some of the islands in the West Indies, and then cruising in them till they were able to make themselves masters of better ships. This being accomplished, they went in formidable companies as occasion offered, and declared open war against all the Spanish settlements. These freebooters had generally two or three Moskito-men on board each of their vessels, whom they found serviceable in many other respects besides supplying them with fish. By their situation they had opportunities of being well acquainted with the strength and riches of the Spanish settlements, and by their inclination they were their avowed enemies. They therefore served the buccaneers for guides, and at the same time assisted in their most hazardous attacks.

This being premised, let us now return to Dampier, who, as has just been said, had agreed to make a voyage with Captain Hobby; and having set sail from Port Royal, either by accident or design, they fell in with Coxen, Sawkings, Sharp, and other buccaneers, who were riding at anchor on the west side of the island of Jamaica, and were then meditating an enterprize over the isthmus of Darien, in order to fall suddenly upon the Spaniards in the South Seas. This expedition, it was given out, would enrich the undertakers; and as all who engaged in it, according to the law of buccaneers, were to be proportionable sharers, all Captain Hobby’s men deserted him to join the buccaneers, Dampier only excepted, who, after three or four days consideration, was easily persuaded to make one among the rest.

Shortly after Christmas, 1680, they all set sail, and steering to Porto Bello, on the 5th of April, they landed near Golden Island, to the number of between three and four hundred men, and began their march guided by chiefs of the Muskito Indians, and headed by Captain Sawkings, who, by general consent, was chosen their leader.

After a fatiguing journey of nine days, in which many of them suffered great hardships, they arrived at Santa Martha, a Spanish settlement on a river of that name that empties itself into the Southern ocean; which after some opposition they took. They were made to believe, before they approached it, that it was a place of considerable strength, abounding in riches, and inhabited by merchants of considerable property; but upon entering it, they were greatly disappointed, and therefore, as might be expected from such a lawless crew, they were as ready to fall upon those who had projected the enterprise, as upon those whom they accounted the enemy.

They now, much discontented with one another, parted company. One party, continuing their march to the Southern ocean, and there embarking, some in canoes, some in periagos, and some in small barks which they found in the river, continued their course to the bay of Panama, and in their way attempted the little town of Puebla Novo, before which their commander in chief Captain Sawkins was killed, and his followers defeated. In what manner this undisciplined crew procured ships, guns, and ammunition, we are not told; yet ships, guns, and ammunition to pursue their ravages they did procure as appears by the sequel.

Captain Coxen, with his company, foreseeing many difficulties in this Southern project, after the taking of Santa Martha returned to the North Seas, where he continued his piracies with various success.

Dampier, however, followed the views of those who persevered in their first resolution of prosecuting their fortune in the South Seas; and he continued to accompany them during the year 1680; but, after the death of Sawkings, Captain Sharpe being chosen commander in chief in his room, Dampier with many of his companions, suspecting both the courage honesty of their new leader, entered into a confederacy to displace him, and to choose Captain Watling in his room, which they soon found means to accomplish by general consent. Under Captain Sharpe the only enterprize of consequence was the taking of Ylo, a small island on the Peruvian coast, from whence they sailed to Juan Fernandez, where, as has been said, Captain Sharpe was displaced.

It happened, however, that Captain Watling, soon after his advancement, having planned an attack upon Arica, fell a victim to his own project; for he was killed in the first onset, and his party defeated. The confederates, after this misfortune, remaining some time without a leader, fell again into party divisions; one party declaring themselves in favour of their former Commander, the other opposing his re-election. To put an end to these dissentions, it was at last agreed to part companies, and to cast lots which company should keep possession of the ship. It happened that the party in opposition to Dampier proved the fortunate party; so that Dampier and his companions were reduced to the necessity of returning either to the N. Sea over the same isthmus by which they came into the South, or submitting themselves to the mercy of the Spaniards. Nor does it appear that any of them carried more riches back than they brought with them, notwithstanding the vast promises with which they had been flattered at their first setting out: for it has been generally observed, that the confederacies of the wicked are defeated by their own deceit; and that they themselves are, for the most part, the instruments of their own misfortunes.

The company with which Dampier chose to associate, consisted of 44 men who bore arms, a Spanish Indian who bore arms also, two Moskito Indians, already described, with five slaves taken in the South Seas, whom they kept to carry their luggage. The vessels they had to carry this company were, the long-boat belonging to the ship, and two canoes, one of which had been sawn asunder, and joined again; and these were furnished for their defence with two patararoes, the companies small arms, and very scanty proportion of provisions and ammunition: and, thus equipped, they had to sail more than 200 leagues before they reached the river of Santa Martha, from whence they were to set out on their march by land for the North Sea. Such an enterprize, one would imagine, could hardly have been undertaken with any hope of succeeding by reasonable men.

On April the 17th, 1681, they parted with Captain Sharpe, 12 leagues to the north-west of the island of Plate; and, on May the 1st, they landed, after many strange adventures, in the bay of Panama, in order to pursue their journey. Here they found the river Santa Martha, of which they meant to avail themselves, blocked up by a ship of considerable force, that had been stationed there for more than six months to intercept their passage. This obliged them to seek a new tract, through which, however, the greatest part of the company, with incredible difficulty, passed safe to the opposite shore, among whom was Dampier, whose hardiness enabled him to undergo the severest trials, and whose well-judged precautions exempted him from many unnecessary sufferings to which others by their imprudence frequently exposed themselves.

On the 1st of May, about three in the afternoon, they began their march; and, on the 23d, they completed their journey; in which time they travelled 110 miles, crossing some lofty mountains, but chiefly keeping along the vallies among deep and dangerous rivers, some of which they forded, some they passed by felling large trees upon the banks, and some they were obliged to swim over in their cloaths and accoutrements. Those who could not swim were dragged through by means of ropes. Their first landing-place upon the south coast was very disadvantageous to them, and forced them to a circuit of 50 miles more than was necessary, could they have landed in the bay of Santa Martha, or navigated the river Chepoa, by either of which the Indians pass from one shore to the other in three days, and sometimes in less.

Those who arrived on the north coast first, among whom was Dampier, embarked immediately on board a French buccaneer, Captain Tristrian, Commander, who, in two days after they arrived, joined eight sail of buccaneers more, who were planning another expedition over-land to Panama: but, when they were told of the ill success of the first, the fatigues they must undergo, the risques they must run, and at length the uncertainty of the event, they unanimously concurred in relinquishing that design, and held a consultation what other enterprize was fit for such a formidable body of them to undertake. At length, they concluded to attack a Spanish town up Carpenter’s river, and for that purpose set sail one after another, in order to preserve secresy, having previously appointed a place of rendezvous. When the ship in which our navigator sailed arrived at the place appointed, they found Captain Wright there before them, who had taken a Spanish Tartan with 30 men, well furnished with small arms, and four patararoes, who with 12 armadillos had been fitted out to seek the buccaneers, and to sink them. This, they that came over-land, who were heartily tired with living among the French, thought a good opportunity to set up for themselves; they, therefore applied to Captain Wright, requesting him to fit up the Tartan for them; to which, after some hesitation, he consented, on condition that they should be under his command as one and the same ship; to which they made no objection.

The rest of the fleet not arriving at the general rendezvous, according to agreement, it was soon discovered, that the Spanish armadillos [or small men of war] had fallen in with and dispersed them. Every one, therefore, was at liberty to pursue his own enterprise; and Captain Wright with his new associates chose the coast of Carthagena to try their fortune. Here they were joined by Captain Yankey; and, falling in with a stout ship, they fought and took her. She proved to be a prize of 14 guns and 40 men, laden with sugar and tobacco, and had eight or ten tons of marmalet on board. The Captains differed about the right to the ship. Yankey, however, took possession by vote of the crews; and Captain Wright took Yankey’s ship, which was better than his own. The cargo, after a great deal of difficulty, they disposed of at a Dutch settlement for less than one-fourth of its value.

However, the goods being now converted into ready money, the produce was shared, and the Captains parted. Captain Wright stood for the Caracca coast, with his men drunk, and quarrelling every day; and Captain Yankey pursued a quite different course. On the coast of the Caraccas, Captain Wright took three barks, one laden with hides, one with European commodities, and a third with earthen-wares and brandy. With these barks he went to the island Rocu; and, having divided the cargoes into three equal parts, he gave to every 20 men (for they were 60 in all) one part and a bark, and so dismissed them. That in which our navigator had an interest was brought to Virginia on July 16, 1682, where we shall leave both him and the ship, to give some account of Captain Yankey.

On board of Yankey sailed one Mr. Cook, as quarter-master, the second in command, according to buccaneer law; and, they having taken a prize from the Spaniards, the command of the prize was claimed by Mr. Cook, on board of which all who chose to sail under the new Captain had liberty so to do: among others there were several who came over land with him from the South Seas (for he too had left Captain Sharpe, and had followed the example of Dampier). All these chose to follow the fortune of their old acquaintance: but the Frenchmen grudging the English the possession of so fine a vessel, together with their share of the goods on board her, combined together; and, after plundering them of ship, goods, arms, and money, turned them all a-drift on the island of Vacca. In this destitute condition, Captain Tristrian, of whom mention has already been made, shewed some compassion, by taking on board about eight or nine of them, among whom were Captain Cook and Captain Davis, formerly masters of buccaneers, who, being carried into Petit Guavres, found means, when the French crews were carousing on shore, to make themselves masters of their benefactor’s ship, to slip her cable, and to steer with all the sail they could spread to Vacca to the relief of their starving countrymen, who, overjoyed to be released, instantly came on board; and, soon after they set sail, had the good fortune to make prize of a ship laden with wine, which was newly come from France. They afterwards fell in with a ship of good force, of which they likewise made prize; and in her they came to the resolution of sailing into the South Seas, and ranging the coasts of Chili and Peru. But, first, it was necessary for them to sail to Virginia to dispose of their spare ships and cargoes, and to fit their capital prize for war. This they did by mounting her with 28 guns, and furnishing her with stores, provisions, and other necessaries for the prosecution of so long a voyage. When these ships arrived at Virginia, Dampier, and all those who came over-land with him, happened to be there; and, being made acquainted, with Captain Cook’s intention, they very readily agreed to join in his adventure.

And now, having followed Dampier through all the busy scenes of action in which he was engaged, till his 30th year, we come at length to that period, at which the more notable adventures of his life commence.

On the 18th of August, 1683, he set sail from Achamack river, in Virginia, in the prize under the command of Captain Cook; and, on the 23d, they met with a violent tempest, which lasted without intermission till the 28th, during which time they shipt some of the heaviest seas that ever ship endured. But as soon as the storm abated, they had fine weather, and a brisk gale, till they arrived at the islands of Cape Verd, where they staid to careen their ship, to refresh themselves, and to take in fresh water. This they did at the little island of Sal: but, being told that the island of Mayo abounded most with cattle, they left Sal, and went to Mayo to purchase provisions. Here they met with a cold reception; the inhabitants absolutely refusing to have any traffic with them, or to suffer them to land: the reason was, that about a week before, an English ship pretending friendship had cast anchor, and by a shew of kindness had invited the Governor with his train on board; but, as soon as they had them in their power, they caused them to write for cattle and other provisions, by way of ransom, to regain their liberty; and, what was still more base, after they were furnished with what they required, they carried off their prisoners, who had not then been heard of. Dampier afterwards learnt, that the Englishman who was guilty of this treachery was Captain Bond, who afterwards surrendering himself to the Spaniards, entered into their service, and taught them to fit out fire-ships, of which they were before totally ignorant in the South Seas.

From Mayo they sailed to Sherboro, on the coast of Africa, where they staid a few days, and purchased rice, palm-wines, sugar, honey, and fowls, and then made sail for the straits of Magellan. On the 6th of February, 1684, they came in sight of the straits mouth; but the wind being contrary, they continued their course to the south, and doubled Cape Horn. In latitude 57, when they thought themselves clear of the cape, they encountered a storm on the 14th of February, which lasted without abatement till the 3d of March, during which time the rain poured down immoderately for many days; by which, however, they were plentifully supplied with fresh water.

When the storm abated, the wind changed to the south, and proved very favourable; for at this time they found themselves in lat. 60 deg. S. But, the gale continuing brisk, by the 17th of March they had run to the height of Baldivia, in 48 deg. S. On the 19th, in the morning, they saw a ship to the southward coming after them with all the sail she could croud. Supposing her to be a Spanish ship from Baldivia and Lima, they lay by for her; but, on her nearer approach, they saw she was an English ship; and, upon hailing her, was told that her Captain’s name was Eaton, that she came from London, and was bound for a cruise in the South Seas.

Rogues are always good friends till they come to share their booty; so these free-booters agreed to sail together; and accordingly kept company to the island of Juan Fernandez, where they both prepared to refresh and refit.

March 22, 1684, they anchored in the south bay, in 25 fathoms water, not a cable’s length from the shore; and as soon as Captain Cook’s ship was moored, Dampier was eager to go ashore to look for a _Moskito-man_, whom they had left in this island, when they were driven from it in the year 1681, by three Spanish men of war, Dampier being at that time in the ship commanded by Captain Watling, just after Captain Sharpe was displaced. This man, when Captain Watling drew off his crew, happened to be in the woods hunting for goats; and the ship was under sail before he came back. Dampier was curious to know whether this Moskito-man was yet alive; and, if he was, how it had fared with him and it seemed that the Indian was no less anxious to enquire after his friends, when he saw that the ships that were approaching were English ships. The poor fellow had observed them the day before, when first they came in sight, and, judging about what time they would come to an anchor, he had killed three goats, and gathered greens, ready to dress as soon as the company should be at liberty to come on shore. He was already upon the beach before the ships could be well secured, and was first seen by one of his countrymen who happened to be on board; and it was no small pleasure to mark the excessive joy of these two Indians at their meeting. The Moskito-man belonging to the ship was named _Robin_: he on the island _Will_. Robin was the first who leapt on shore; and, running to Will, threw himself flat on his face at his feet, who, helping him up, and embracing him, fell flat in like manner with his face at Robin’s feet, and was by him taken up and embraced as before. The surprize, the tenderness, the solemnity of the interview, which was exceedingly affectionate on both sides, was admired even by the crews of buccaneers, who were spectators from the ships of what passed on shore. When Dampier, who was his old friend, came up, _Will_ was no less transported with joy to see him than to meet his countryman, but he expressed it in quite another manner: other friends too he met with among the crew who knew him, and they were all over-joyed at meeting so unexpectedly; for these men are very much beloved on board the ships wherever they sail, for their readiness to assist in whatever service they are put upon. When the ceremonies of congratulation were over, and they had time to make enquiries, he told them, that he was several times sought after by the Spaniards, who knew that he was left upon the island; because when the ship set sail he was in sight of the shore, and was seen by them before he could secret himself: but as he was continually upon the watch, and had discovered a secret retreat, they never had been able to find him. He had with him, he said, his gun and his knife, a small horn of powder, and a few shot. These being soon spent, he contrived a way, by notching his knife, to saw the barrel of his gun in small pieces, with which he made harpoons, lance-heads, hooks, and a long knife; heating the pieces first in the fire, which he lighted after the English manner, by striking his gun-flint against the back of his knife. The iron when it was hot he hammered with stones, and formed it into the various shapes he had occasion to apply it. By continued labour and perseverance, he had worked himself such a complete set of instruments, for killing and catching his provisions by land and water, as surprized the people when they were brought out for their inspection. But, says Dampier, it is no more than these Moskito-men are accustomed to do in their own country, where they make their own fishing and striking instruments, without either forge or anvil: and other Indians are still more ingenious; for they make hatchets of a very hard stone, with which they cut down trees, make canoes, and frame their houses.

Poor Will had built himself a little house about half a mile from the shore, which he had made warm and convenient, by lining it with goat-skins. He had likewise raised himself a couch about two feet above the ground, which he had also made soft with the fur of the animals he caught, and with the down of the young birds (for he could catch no other) which he occasionally met with and pluckt. Cloaths he had none; for he had worn them to rags among the bushes and brambles through which he was often obliged to pursue his prey. He had been on the island about three years; and in all that time had never conversed with any human being. He had seen Spaniards; but he always took care, after the first, that none of them should ever see him.

At this island these free-booters staid sixteen days; and, on the 8th of April, the two ships set sail together, and pursued their course northwards towards the Line, at the distance of 12 or 14 leagues from the shore, for fear of being seen. The land from 24 deg. to 10 deg. S. is of a most prodigious height, with ridges of such lofty mountains from one end of Peru and Chili to the other, that their summits seem to rise above the clouds; and from the sea they appear for ever blue. Dampier attributes to the excessive height of these mountains, the want of great rivers in all this tract; and says, there seldom falls any rain from 30 deg. to 4 deg. S. He adds, that the limits of the Pacific Ocean ought to be confined within that space extended westward indefinitely; for, in all this tract of water, says he, there are no dark rainy clouds, nor any winds, but trade winds, no tempests, no tornadoes, or hurricanes, though north of the Line, they are met with in this Ocean as well as the Atlantic. There is, however, often a thick horizon, so as to hinder an observation of the sun with the quadrant; and, sometimes, hazy mornings, and thick mists, but not such as will wet one. The rivers in all this tract, he says, run small; sometimes they run at one season of the year, and at others are quite dry. These observations, if just, are truly wonderful.

They coasted along the Pacific Ocean from Juan Fernandez to lat. 90 deg. 40 min. S. without meeting with any thing worthy of note; but, on the 3d of May, they fell in with a ship laden with timber, which they instantly took without resistance. From this ship they learnt, that the Spaniards were apprized of their being upon their coasts, and that the Viceroy had sent expresses to all the sea-ports to put the inhabitants upon their guard against any sudden attack.

On this intelligence they immediately altered their course, and steered for Lobos de la Mer, in lat. 6 deg. 24 min. S. Here they cleared their ships bottoms; and strictly questioned their prisoners concerning the state of the country, and which were the towns of greatest note. Several towns were mentioned; but Truxillo appeared to be that which, if conquered, would yield the most profit: Truxillo was therefore the place agreed upon to make a descent. In their passage they descried three sail: Eaton pursued two of those to seaward; and Cook presently made prize of that which was nearest the land. They were ships laden with flour for Panama; in one of which was found a letter from the Viceroy of Lima to the President of Panama, acquainting him with enemies being upon the coast, and with the supposed strength of their forces. They also found an image of the Blessed Virgin in wood, and a stately mule, being a present to the President, with seven or eight tons of marmalate of quinces, which is eaten as a great delicacy in that country. From the prisoners taken in these prizes they learned, that the Spaniards were fortifying Truxillo, and that a garrison was already established. The attack of that town was therefore judged impracticable; and it was resolved to retire to the Gallapagos with the prizes, and there to consult what next was best to be undertaken. The Gallapagos are a cluster of islands lying on the Equator, very little known or frequented, till the buccaneers found their way into the South Seas; the nearest of them lies 110 leagues to the westward of the main, in long. 70 deg. W. from England. For these islands they set sail on the 29th of May, and reached them on the 31st. Here they found plenty of turtle, which they feasted upon fresh every day. They staid about ten or twelve days; and laid up about 5000 packs of meal from their prizes to serve as a future supply in case of necessity.

Being told by an Indian prisoner that was born at Rio Lexa, that there were great riches in his city, and that he would shew them the way to the place, they concluded to set sail, and to trust to the fidelity of their Indian guide; intending, however, to anchor by the way at the island of Cocos, in lat. 5 deg. 40 min. S. to lodge some of their meal, as more convenient to have recourse to on ordinary occasions than the islands of Gallapagos. With this intent their stoutest meal-ship was taken with them; but, not being able to make the island, they steered to the continent.

It happened, however, in the course of this short run, that Captain Cook, who had been taken ill at Juan Fernandez, as soon as he came within a few leagues of Cape Blanco, in latitude 9 deg. 56 min. S. suddenly died, “though in the morning, says Dampier, he was as likely to live as he had been for a long time before;” but, he adds, “it is usual for sick men coming from the sea, to die off as soon as they come within sight of land.” The death of Captain Cook occasioned a general consultation, when it was agreed to come to an anchor in Caldera-bay, within a league of Cape Blanco, and there to give him christian burial. While the men were employed in digging the grave, three Indians came up to see what they were about, and entered into conversation with the diggers, at the same time appearing very shy; but, notwithstanding their caution, as soon as the corps was decently interred, they were all three seized at once by the company, and very strictly examined. They at first pretended to know nothing of the Spaniards; but at length they acknowledged that they were sent from Nicoya, a town about 12 leagues off, to learn what they could concerning any strangers that should touch upon the coast, the people of that town having advice that enemies were in the adjoining seas, and that therefore it behoved them to be upon their guard. They learnt likewise from these Indians, that the inhabitants in that neighbourhood were chiefly husbandmen, and bred cattle; that they traded in hides, corn, and other provisions, for which they received in return, shoes, hats, linnen, and other cloth; and that, at no great distance, there were some very large cattle-pens, where they might furnish themselves with as many buffaloes as would fill their ships. This was welcome news to sailors, none of whom had tasted any fresh meat for many weeks; and a company of 24 of them set out immediately with an Indian for their guide, to look for the cattle-pens.

After a short march of between three and four miles, they came in sight of a savannah where a great number of cattle were grazing; of which, some were for instantly killing as many as they could carry away, while others were for staying all night, and driving them into the pens to supply the ships at once, before the owners were apprized of their design. This resolution prevailed; but Dampier, who was of the party, and who never chose to run unnecessary hazards, returned to the ships with about half the company, together with the Indian guide, while the rest chose to stay where they were. In the morning, when these voluntary drovers were expected to return with their cattle, none came: it was therefore feared that some disaster had befallen them; and boats were manned, and sent out to look for them.

As the boats were rowing along, some of the company happened to spy a number of people upon a rock up to their middles in water; and, upon nearing them, they soon saw that they were the very people they were in search of; and, therefore, hastened to take them on board. Lucky it was, that the boatmen happened to spy them just as they did, for in an hour more they had been all swallowed up by the tide. They had been suffered to sleep all night unmolested; and in the morning when they were scattered about among the cattle, and driving them into the pens, they were surprized by the sudden appearance of about 60 Spanish soldiers well armed, who placed themselves in a convenient situation to cut off their retreat. Alarmed at this unexpected discovery, they hastened to join in a body, resolving to sell their lives dear, if they found it impossible to make their escape. Accordingly, they looked well round them in order to discover an opening to some other part of the shore, than that against which their ships rode, marching at the same time in as good order as their situation would admit, and giving the Spaniards now-and-then a volley of shot, to keep them at a proper distance. The Spaniards, who are not over eager to come to a close engagement, kept themselves sheltered behind the bushes, whistling some random shot at the fugitives, by way of return; which, however, did them no harm. In this cautious manner they advanced slowly towards the beach where Captain Cook was buried; and, looking for their boat, saw her in flames by the water-side, near the spot where they had grounded her the night before. All hope of retreat being now cut off; and the Spaniards, to make sure of their surrender, having posted themselves in such a manner as to prevent all communication with the ships, they were at length reduced to the last extremity; when, fortunately, spying a rock just above water, about 100 yards from the shore, they all determined to commit themselves to the mercy of the ocean, rather than fall into the hands of the Spaniards. With this resolution they rushed together into the tide, holding fast by one another, and determining that if one perished all should perish. In this manner they made good their landing upon the rock, where they had continued seven hours when they happened to be discovered by their comrades, who were suffered by the Spaniards to release them without firing a gun.

After this disappointment it was thought adviseable not to hazard a second attempt; they therefore weighed anchor, and continued their course to Ria Lexa, having first chosen Mr. Edward Davis, the next in command to Captain Cook, Commander in his room. On the 20th of July they set sail, and in three days they were a-breast of their intended port.

Ria Lexa is known by a high-peaked volcano, which smokes all the day, and in the night sometimes sends forth flames of fire. It lies a considerable distance from the main, and before you approach the town there is a small island on which the Spaniards had placed a guard. This guard the buccaneers surprized; but from them they learnt, that the town was strongly fortified; that the Governor was informed of their being upon the coast, and that the garrison was well provided for defence. This news discouraged the adventurers, who did not come to fight but to plunder: they therefore instantly withdrew from Ria Lexa, and steering for the gulph of Amapalla, they there careened their ships, and parted company. This gulph is a large arm of the sea running ten leagues up into the country. On the south point lies Cape Cawina, and on the N. W. St. Michael’s Mount, in lat. 12 deg. 40 min. N. But before they came to the gulph, it was agreed that Captain Davis should go before with two canoes well-manned, in order, by surprising some of the natives, to gain intelligence. Accordingly, as soon as they approached the gulph, the canoes departed, and Captain Davis, the first night, arrived at a small island on which there was a town called Mangera, which, for want of a guide, he could not find. In the morning he found it; but the Indian inhabitants had all fled, and left the place deserted; only the padre, with two boys to attend him, were left to take their fate. As all that Captain Davis wanted was a prisoner for the sake of information, one more intelligent than the friar could not have fallen into his hands. From him they learnt, that there were several Indian villages in the gulph; but that there were only three towns that had churches; that he served all the three; that there was only another white man, besides himself, in the whole gulph, who was a kind of secretary to the Spanish government, and who collected the revenues and kept the accompts.