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An. 1681.

A Journey over the Isthmus of America.

They made us welcome to such as they had, which was very mean; for these were new Planta- tions, the Corn being not eared. Patatoes, Yams, and Plantains they had none, but what they brought from their old Plantations. There were none of them spoke good Spanish : Two young men could speak a little; it caused us to take more notice of them. To these we made a Present, and desired them to get us a Guide to conduct us to the North side, or part of the way, which they promised to do themselves, if we would reward them for it, but told us we must lye still the next day. But we thought our selves nearer the North Sea than we were, and and proposed to go without a Guide, ra- ther than stay here a whole day. However some of our men who were tired resolved to stay behind; and Mr. Wafer our Chirurgeon, who marched in great pain ever since his Knee was burned with powder, was resolved to stay with them.

The tenth day we got up betimes resolving to march, but the Indians opposed it as much as they could: but seeing they could not perswade us to stay, they came with us; and having taken leave of our friends, we set out.

Here therefore we left the Chirurgeon and two more, as we said, and marched away to the East- ward, following our Guides. But we often look d on our Pocket-Compasses, and shewed them to the Guides, pointing at the way that we would go, which made them shake their heads, and say, they were pretty things, but not convenient for us. Af- ter we had descended the Hill on which the Town stood, we came down into a Valley, and guided our selves by a River, which we crossed 22 times; and having marched 9 miles, we built Hutts and lay there all night. This Evening I kill'da Quaum, a large Bird as big as a Turkey, wherewith we treated our Guides, for we brought no Provision with