In those houses we found three gentlewomen, which had lately been
delivered in Nombre de Dios; because it hath been observed of long time,
as they reported to us, that no Spaniard or white woman could ever
be delivered in Nombre de Dios with safety of their children but that
within two or three days they died; notwithstanding that being born
and brought up in this Venta Cruz or Panama five or six years, and then
brought to Nombre de Dios, if they escaped sickness the first or second
month, they commonly lived in it as healthily as in any other place:
although no stranger (as they say) can endure there any long time,
without great danger of death or extreme sickness.
Though at our first coming into the town with arms so suddenly, these
ladies were in great fear, yet because our Captain had given straight
charge to all the Cimaroons (that while they were in his company, they
should never hurt any woman nor man that had not a weapon in his hand
to do them hurt; which they earnestly promised, and no less faithfully
performed) they had no wrong offered them, nor any thing taken from
them, to the worth of a garter; wherein, albeit they had indeed
sufficient safety and security, by those of his company, which our
Captain sent unto them, of purpose to comfort them: yet they never
ceased most earnestly entreating, that our Captain would vouchsafe to
come to them himself for their more safety; which when he did, in their
presence reporting the charge he had first been given, and the assurance
of his men, they were comforted.
Pages:
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101