Page 137
An.1684
Capt. Swan.
keep no provision, but just to supply themselves. These Women also said, that the Manta Indians were sent over to the Island Plata, to destroy all the Goats there; which they performed about a month agone: With this news our men returned again, and arriv'd at Plata the next day.
We lay still at the Island Plata, being not resolved what to do; till the 2d day of October: and then Captain Swan in the Cygnet of London arriv'd there. He was fitted out by very eminent Merchants of that City, on a design only to trade with the Spani- ards or Indians, having a very considerable Cargo well forted for these parts of the World; but meeting with divers disappointments, and being out of hopes to obtain a trade in these Seas, his men forc'd him to entertain a company of Privateers which he met with near Nicoya, a Town whither he was going to seek a Trade, and these Privateers were bound thi- ther in Boats to get a Ship. These were the men that we had heard of at Manta; they came over land under the command of Captain Peter Harris, Nephew to that Captain Harris who was kill'd be- fore Panama. Captain Swan was still Commander of his own Ship, and Captain Harris commanded a small Bark under Captain Swan. There was much joy on all sides when they arriv'd; and immediate- ly hereupon Captain Davis and Captain Swan con- forted, wishing for Captain Eaton again. Our little Bark, which was taken at Santa Hellena, was imme- diately sent out to cruize, while the Ships were fit- ting; for Captain Swan's Ship being full of goods, was not fit to entertain his new guest, till the goods were dispos'd of; therefore he by the consent of the Super- cargo's, got up all his goods on Deck, and sold to any one that would buy upon trust: the rest was thrown over-board into the Sea, except fine goods, as Silks, Muslins, Stockings, &c. and except the Iron, whereof he had a good quantity, both wrought and