Page 170
An.1684
Tomaco Town.
The Village Tomaco is but small, and is seated not far from the mouth of the River. It is a place to entertain the Spanish Merchants that come to Gallo to load Timber, or to traffick with the Indians for Gold. At this place one Doleman, with 7 or 8 Men more, once of Capt. Sharp's Crew, were kill'd in the year 1680. From the branch of the River St. Jago, where we now lay, to Tomaco, is about 5 leagues; the Land low, and full of Creeks, so that Canoas may pass within Land through those Creeks, and from thence into Tomaco River.
The 28th day we left the River of St. Jago, crof- sing some Creeks in our way with our Canoas; and came to an Indian House, where we took the Man and all his Family. We staid here till the afternoon, and then rowed toward Tomaco, with the Man of this House for our Guide. We arrived at Tomaco a- bout 12 a clock at night. Here we took all the In- habitants of the Village, and a Spanish Knight, called Don Diego de Pinas. This Knight came in a Ship from Lima to lade Timber. The Ship was riding in a Creek about a mile off, and there were only one Spaniard and 8 Indians aboard. We went in a Ca- noa with 7 Men and took her; she had no Goods, but 12 or 13 Jars of good Wine, which we took out, and the next day let the Ship go. Here an In- dian Canoa came aboard with three Men in her. These Men could not speak Spanish, neither could they distinguish us from Spaniards; the wild Indians usually thinking all white Men to be Spaniards. We gave them 3 or 4 Callabashes of Wine, which they freely drank. They were streight-bodied, and well limb'd Men, of a mean heighth; their Hair black, long visag'd, small Noses and Eyes; and were thin fac'd, ill look'd Men, of a very dark copper color. A little before night Captain Swan and all of us re- turned to Tomaco, and left the Vesscl to the Seamen. The 31st day two of our Canoas, who had been up