In this course notwithstanding we
had two days calm, yet within six days after we arrived (12th July) at
Port Pheasant, which is a fine round bay, of very safe harbour for all
winds, lying between two high points, not past half a cable's length
over at the mouth, but within, eight or ten cables' length every way,
having ten or twelve fathoms of water more or less, full of good fish;
the soil also very fruitful, which may appear by this, that our Captain
having been in this place, within a year and few days before [i. e., in
July, 1571] and having rid the place with many alleys and paths made;
yet now all was so overgrown again, as that we doubted, at first,
whether this was the same place or not.
At our entrance into this bay, our Captain having given order to his
brother what to do, if any occasion should happen in his absence, was
on his way, with intent to have gone aland with some few only in his
company, because he knew there dwelt no Spaniards within thirty-five
leagues of that place. [Santiago de] Tolou being the nearest to the
eastwards, and Nombre de Dios to the westwards, where any of that nation
dwelt.
But as we were rowing ashore, we saw a smoke in the woods, even near the
place where our Captain had aforetime frequented; therefore thinking it
fit to take more strength with us, he caused his other boat also to be
manned, with certain muskets and other weapons, suspecting some enemy
had been ashore.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25