Page 40
An.1681
River of Darien.
no such sign, we let them alone ; for of this fruit no Birds will taste. Many of these Ilands have of these Manchaneel-Trees growing on them.
Thus cruising in among these Islands, at length we came again to La Sound's Key ; and the day be- fore having met with a Jamaica Sloop that was come over on the Coast to trade, she went with us. It was in the evening when we came to an Anchor, and the next morning we fir'd two Guns for the In- dians that liv'd on the Main to come aboard ; for by this time we concluded we should hear from our five men, that we left in the heart of the Country among the Indians, this being about the latter end of August, and it was the beginning of May when we parted from them. According to our expectati- on the Indians came aboard, and brought our friends with them : Mr. Wafer wore a Clout about him, and was painted like an Indian ; and he was some time aboard before I knew him. One of them, named Richard Cobson, dyed within 3 or 4 days af- ter, and was bury d on La Sound's Key.
After this we went to other Keys, to the East- ward of these, to meet Captain Wright and Captain Yanky, who met with a Fleet of Pereagoes laden with Indian Corn, Hog, and Fowls, going to Car- tagene ; being convoyed by a small Armadilly of 2 Guns and 6 Patereroes. Her they chaced ashore, and most of the Pereagoes ; but they got two of them off, and brought them away.
Here Captain Wright's and Captain Yanky's Barks were clean'd ; and we stock'd our selves with Corn, and then went towards the Coast of Cartagene. In our way thither we passed by the River of Darien ; which is very broad at the mouth, but not above 6 foot water on a Spring-tyde ; for the Tyde riseth but little here. Captain Coxon, about 6 months be- fore we came out of the South Seas, went up this Ri- ver with a party of men : Every man carry'd a small strong