Page 175
An. 1685
The Kings, or Pearl Islands.
called Gallera, at which Captain Harris was sharing with his Men the Gold he took in his pillaging Santa Maria, which I spake of a little before, when on a sudden 5 Spanish Barks, fitted out on purpose at Pa- nama, came upon him; but he fought them so stout- ly with one small Bark he had, and some few Ca- noas, boarding their Admiral particularly, that they were all glad to leave him. By this Island we an- chored, and sent our Boats to the Kings Islands for a good careening place.
The Kings Islands are a great many low woody Islands, lying N. W. by N. and S. E. by S. They are about 7 leagues from the Main, and 14 leagues in length; and from Panama about 12 leagues. Why they are called the Kings Islands, I know not; they are sometimes, and mostly in Maps, called the Pearl Islands. I cannot imagin wherefore they are called so, for I did never see one Pearl Oyster about them, nor any Pearl Oyster Shells; but on the other Oy- sters I have made many a Meal there: The norther- most Island of all this range is called Pacheca, or Pa- cheque. This is but a small Island, distant from Pa- nama 11 or 12 leagues. The Southermost of them is called St. Pauls. Besides these two I know no more that are called by any particular name, though there are many that far exceed either of the two in big- ness. Some of these Islands are planted with Plan- tains and Bonanas; and there are Fields of Rice on others of them. The Gentlemen of Panama, to whom they belong, keep Negroes there, to plant, weed, and husband the Plantations. Many of them, especially the largest, are wholly untill'd; yet very good fat Land, full of large Trees. These unplanted Islands shelter many Runaway Negroes, who abscond in the Woods all day, and in the night boldly pillage the Plantain Walks. Betwixt these Islands and the Main is a Channel of 7 or 8 leagues wide; there is good depth of Water, and good anchoring all the way.