For when he had prepared to take
his journey for Panama, by land; he gave ELLIS HIXOM charge of his own
ship and company, and especially of those Spaniards whom he had put into
the great prize, which was hauled ashore to the island, which we termed
Slaughter Island (because so many of our men died there), and used as a
storehouse for ourselves, and a prison for our enemies.
All things thus ordered, our Captain conferring with his company, and
the chiefest of the Cimaroons, what provisions were to be prepared
for this great and long journey, what kind of weapons, what store of
victuals, and what manner of apparel: was especially advised, to carry
as great store of shoes as possible he might, by reason of so many
rivers with stone and gravel as they were to pass. Which, accordingly
providing, prepared his company for that journey, entering it upon
Shrove-Tuesday (3rd February). At what time, there had died twenty-eight
of our men, and a few whole men were left aboard with ELLIS HIXOM to
keep the ship, and attend the sick, and guard the prisoners.
At his departure our Captain gave this Master straight charge, in any
case not to trust any messenger, that should come in his name with any
tokens, unless he brought his handwriting: which he knew could not be
counterfeited by the Cimaroons or Spaniards.
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