Page 155
An. 1684
Town of Guiaquil attempted.
from the Town, and then we had not above an hours Flood more; therefore our Captains defired the Indian Pilot to direct us to fome Creek where we might abfcond all day, which was immediately done, and one Canoa was fent towards Puna to our Bark, to order them not to move nor fire till the next day. But fhe came too late to countermand the firft orders: for the two Barks before mentioned, laden with Negroes, came from the Town the laft quarter of the evening Tide, and lay in the River, clofe by the fhore on one fide, and we rowed up on the other fide and mift them; neither did they fee nor hear us. Affoon as the Flood was fpent, the two Barks weighed and went down with the Ebb, towards Puna. Our Bark, feeing them coming di- rect'ly towards them, and both full of Men, fuppofed that we by fome accident had been deftroyed, and that the two Barks were mann'd with Spanifh Sol- diers, and fent to take our Ships, and therefore they fired three Guns at them a league before they came near. The two Spanifh Barks immediately came to an anchor, and the Mafters got into their Boats, and rowed for the fhore; but our Canoa that was fent from us took them both. The firing of thefe 3 Guns made a great diforder among our advanced Men, for moft of them did believe they were heard at Guiaquil, and that therefore it could be no profit to lye ftill in the Creek; but either row away to the Town, or back again to our Ships. It was now quarter Ebb: therefore we could not move upwards, if we had been difpos'd fo to do. At length Captain Davis faid, he would immediately land in the Creek where they lay, and march direct'ly to the Town, if but 40 Men would accompany him: and without faying more words, he landed among the Mangroves in the Marfhes. Thofe that were fo minded fol- lowed him, to the number of 40 or 50. Captain Swan lay ftill with the reft of the Party in the Creek, for