Page 14

An. 1681

A Journey over the Isthmus of America.

and then built Hutts where we stayed all night ; it rained all the afternoon, and the greatest part of the night.

The 4th day we began our march betimes, for the forenoons were commonly fair, but much rain afternoon : tho whether it rained or shined it was much at one with us, for I verily believe we crost the Rivers 30 times this day ; the Indians having no paths to travel from one part of the Country to another, and therefore guiding themselves by the Rivers. We marched this day 12 miles, and then built our Hutts and lay down to sleep ; but we al- ways kept two men on the watch ; otherwise our own Slaves might have knockt us on head while we slept. It rained violently all the afternoon, and most part of the night. We had much ado^[1] to kindle a fire this evening : our Hutts were but very mean and ordinary, and our Fire small, so that we could not dry our Cloaths, scarce warm our selves, and no sort of food for the Belly ; all which made it very hard with us. I confess these hardships quite expell'd the thoughts of an Enemy, for now having been 4 days in the Country, we began to have but few other cares than how to get Guides and Food ; the Spaniards were seldom in our thoughts.

The 5th day we set out in the morning betimes, and having travelled 7 miles in those wild pathless Woods, by 10 a clock in the morning we arrived at a young Spanish Indian's house, who had former- ly lived with the Bishop of Panama. The young Indian was very brisk, spoke very good Spanish, and received us very kindly. This Plantation afforded us store of Provision, Yams, and Potatoes, but no- thing of any flesh, beside two fat Monkeys we shot, part whereof we destributed to some of our Com- pany, who were weak and sickly ; for others we got Eggs, and such refreshments as the Indians had, for we still provided for the sick and weak. We had