Page 38
An.1681
Savages of Boca-toro.
their Rigging of it. So much by way of Digression.
When we had cleaned our Tartan we sailed from hence, bound for Boca-toro, which is an opening between two Ilands about 10 Deg. 10 Min. North Lat. between the Rivers of Veragne and Chagre. Here we met with Captain Yanky, who told us that there had been a Fleet of Spanish Armadilloes to seek us : that Captain Tristian having fallen to Leeward, was coming to Boca-toro, and fell in amongst them, supposing them to be our Fleet: that they fired and cha- ced him, but he Rowed and Towed, and they supposed he got away : that Captain Pain was likewise chaced by them and Captain Williams ; and that they had not seen them since that they lay within the Islands : that the Spaniards never came in to him ; and that Captain Coxon was in at the Careening place.
This Boca-toro is a place that the Privateers use to resort to, as much as any place on all the Coast, be- cause here is plenty of green Tortoise, and a good Careening place. The Indians here have no com- merce with the Spaniards ; but are very barbarous, and will not be dealt with. They have destroyed many Privateers, as they did not long after this some of Captain Pain s men ; who having built a Tent ashore to put his goods in while he Careened his Ship, and some men lying there with their arms, in the night the Indians crept softly into the Tent, and cut off the Heads of 3 or 4 men, and made their escape ; nor was this the first time they had served the Privateers so. There grow on this Coast Vinelloes in great quantity, with which Chocolate is perfumed. These I shall describe elsewhere.
Our Fleet being thus scattered, there were now no hopes of getting together again ; therefore every one did what they thought most conducing to ob- tain their ends. Captain Wright, with whom I now was, was resolv'd to cruise on the Coast of Carta- gene ; and it being now almost the Westerly wind season,