As soon as this messenger was come to the shore, calling to our ship,
as bringing some news, he was quickly fet[ched] aboard by those which
longed to hear of our Captain's speeding: but when he showed the
toothpike of gold, which he said our Captain had sent for a token to
ELLIS HIXOM, with charge to meet him at such a river though the Master
knew well the Captain's toothpike: yet by reason of his admonition and
caveat [warning] given him at parting, he (though he bewrayed no sign
of distrusting the Cimaroon) yet stood as amazed, lest something had
befallen our Captain otherwise than well. The Cimaroon perceiving this,
told him, that it was night when he was sent away, so that our Captain
could not send any letter, but yet with the point of his knife, he wrote
something upon the toothpike, "which," he said, "should be sufficient to
gain credit to the messenger."
Thereupon, the Master looked upon it, and saw written, _By me, FRANCIS
DRAKE_: wherefore he believed, and according to the message, prepared
what provision he could, and repaired to the mouth of the river of
Tortugos, as the Cimaroons that went with him then named it.
That afternoon towards three a clock, we were come down to that river,
not past half-an-hour before we saw our pinnace ready come to receive
us: which was unto us all a double rejoicing: first that we saw them,
and next, so soon.
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