Page 120
An.1684
Ria Lexa Island and Harbour.
both so advantageously placed, that 10 men might with ease keep 200 men from landing. I shall give a description of the Town in my return hither, and therefore forbear to do it here. Whereby to resume the thread of our course, we were now in sight of the Volcan, by estimation 7 or 8 leagues from the shore, and the Mountain bearing N. E. we took in our Topfails and hal'd up our Courses, intending to go with our Canoas into the Harbor in the night. In the evening we had a very hard Tornado, out of the N. E. with much Thunder, Lightening and Rain. The violence of the Wind did not last long, yet it was 11 a clock at night before we got out our Canoas, and then it was quite calm. We rowed in directly for the shore, and thought to have reach'd it before day, but it was 9 a clock in the morning before we got into the Harbor. When we came with- in a league of the Island of Ria Lexa, that makes the Harbor, we saw a House on it, and coming nearer we saw 2 or 2 men, who stood and looked on us till we came within half a mile of the Island, then they went into their Canoa, which lay on the in- side of the Island, and rowed towards the Main; but we overtook them before they got over, and brought them back again to the Island. There was a Horseman right against us on the Main when we took the Canoa, who immediately rode away towards the Town as fast as he could. The rest of our Canoas towed heavily, and did not come to the Island till 12 a clock, therefore we were forced to stay for them. Before they came we examined the Priso- ners, who told us, that they were set there to watch, for the Governor of Ria Lexa received a Letter about a month before, wherein he was advised of some Enemies come into the Sea, and therefore admo- nished to be careful; that immediately there- upon the Governor had caused a House to be built on this Island, and ordered 4 men to be continually there