Page 247
An.1685
Port Marquis.
with all their Lives; for on a sudden they were en- countered with a violent Tornado from the shore, which had like to have foundered all the Canoas : but they escaped that danger, and the second night got safe into Port Marquis. Port Marquis is a very good Harbour, a league to the East of Acapulco Har- bour. Here they staid all the next day to dry them- selves, their Cloaths, their Arms and Ammunition, and the next night they rowed softly into Acapul- co Harbour : and because they would not be heard, they hal'd in their Oars, and paddled as softly as if they had been seeking Manatee. They paddled close to the Castle ; then struck over to the Town, and found the Ship riding between the Breftwork and the Fort, within about 100 yards of each. When they had well viewed her, and considered the danger of the design, they thought it not possi- ble to accomplish it : therefore they paddled softly back again, till they were out of command of the Forts, and then they went to land, and fell in a- mong a company of Spanish Soldiers (for the Spani- ards having seen them the day before had set Guards along the Coast) who immediately fired at them, but did them no damage, only made them retire farther from the shore. They lay afterwards at the mouth of the Harbour till it was day to take a view of the Town and Castle, and then returned aboard again, being tired, hungry, and sorry for their disappointment.
The 11th day we made sail again further on to the Westward, with the Land-wind, which is com- monly at N. E. but the Sea Winds are at S. W. We passed by a long sandy Bay of above 20 leagues. All the way along it the Sea falls with such force on the shore, that it is impossible to come near it with Boat or Canoa: yet it is good clean ground, and good an- choring a mile or two from the shore. The Land by the Sea is low, and indifferent fertile, produ- cing