Page 300

An.1686

The state of the Spaniards at Guam.

by our Log, we had 12 knots on our reel, and she run it all out before the half minute glass was half out; which, if it had been no more, is after the rate of 12 mile an hour; but I do believe she would have run 24 mile an hour. It was very plea- sant to see the little Boat running along so swift by the others side.

The Native Indians are not less dexterous in managing than in building these Boats. By report, they will go from hence to another of the Ladrone Islands about 30 leagues off, and there do their business, and return again in less than 12 hours. I was told that one of these Boats was sent Express to Manila, which is above 400 leagues, and per- formed the Voyage in 4 days time. There are of these Proes or Boats used in many places of the East Indies, but with a Belly and a little Boat on each side. Only at Mindanao I saw one like these with the belly and little Boat only on one side, and the other flat, but not so neatly built.

The Indians of Guam have neat little Houses, ve- ry handsomely thatch'd with Palmeto-thatch. They inhabit together in Villages built by the Sea, on the West side, and have Spanish Priests to instruct them in the Christian Religion.

The Spaniards have a small Fort on the West side, near the South end, with 6 Guns in it. There is a Governour, and 20 or 30 Spanish Souldiers. There are no more Spaniards on the Island, beside 2 or 3 Priests. Not long before we arriv'd here the Na- tives rose on the Spaniards to destroy them, and did kill many: but the Governour with his Souldiers at length prevailed, and drove them out of the Fort: So when they found themselves disappoint- ed of their intent, they destroyed the Plantations and stock, and then went away to other Islands. There were then 3 or 400 Indians on this Island; but now there are not above 100; for all that were in