Page 187
An. 1685
I. Tabago. The Mammet-tree.
pies of it to be dispersed abroad among the common People. This Letter, which was full of Threats, to- gether with the young Man's managing the business, wrought so powerfully among the common People, that the City was in an uproar. The President im- mediately sent a Gentleman aboard, who demanded the Flower Prize that we took off of Gallo, and all the Prisoners, for the Ransom of our two Men: but our Captains told him they would exchange Man for Man. The Gentleman said he had not orders for that, but if we would stay till the next day he would bring the Governnours answer. The next day he brought aboard our two Men, and had about 40 Prisoners in exchange.
The 24th day we run over to the Island Tabago. Tabago is in the Bay, and about 6 leagues South of Panama. It is about 3 mile long, and 2 broad, a high mountainous Island. On the North side it declines with a gentle descent to the Sea. The Land by the Sea is of a black Mold and deep; but toward the top of the Mountain it is strong and dry. The North side of this Island makes a very pleasant shew : it seems to be a Garden of Fruit inclosed with many high Trees ; the chiefest Fruits are Plantains and Bona- na's. They thrive very well from the foot to the middle of it ; but those near the top are but small, as wanting moisture. Close by the Sea there are many Coco Nut Trees which make a very pleasant sight. Within the Coco Nut Trees there grow many Mam- met Trees. The Mammet is a large, tall, and streight- bodied Tree, clean, without Knots or Limbs, for 60 or 70 foot, or more. The Head spreads abroad into many small Limbs, which grow pretty thick, and close together. The Bark is of a dark grey colour, thick and rough, full of large chops. The Fruit is bigger than Quince, it is round, and covered with a thick Rind, of a grey colour. When the Fruit is ripe the Rind is yellow and tough; and it will then peel off