Page 44
An. 1681
Cruising in the West Indies.
Barks, and saw great heaps of Oyster-shells, but the people all fled: Yet in another place, between this and Rio La Hacha, we took some of the Indians, who seem to be a stubborn fort of people: They are long-visaged, black hair, their noses somewhat ri- fing in the middle, and of a stern look. The Spani- ards report them to be a very numerous Nation; and that they will not subject themselves to their yoak: Yet they have Spanish Priests among them; and by trading have brought them to be somewhat fociable; but cannot keep a severe hand over them. The Land is but barren, it being of a light sand near the Sea; and most Savanah, or Champian; and the grass but thin and course, yet they feed plenty of Cattle. Every man knoweth his own, and looketh after them; but the Land is in common, except only their Houses or small Plantations where they live, which every man maintains with some fence about it. They may remove from one place to another as they please, no man having right to any Land but what he poffeffeth. This part of the Country is not so subject to Rain as to the West- ward of Santa Martha; yet here are Tornadoes, or Thunder-showers; but neither so violent as on the Coast of Portabell, nor so frequent. The Westerly winds in the Westerly wind season blow here, tho not so strong nor lasting as on the Coasts of Carta- gene and Portabell.
When we had spent some time here, we return'd again towards the Coast of Cartagene; and being be- tween Rio Grande and that place, we met with Westerly winds, which kept us still to the Eastward of Cartagene 3 or 4 days; and then in the morning we descryed a Sail off at Sea, and we chaced her at noon: Captain Wright, who sailed best, came up with her, and engaged her; and in half an hour after, Captain Yanky, who sailed better than the Tartan (the Veffel that I was in) came up with her like-