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An. 1681

The Author’s Return out of the South Seas,

came ashore we dispers’d our selves all over the Island, to prevent our Enemies from coming any way to view us; and presently after high-water we saw a small Canoa coming over from the Ship to the Island that we were on; which made us all get into our Canoa, and wait their coming; and we lay close till they came within Pistol-shot of us, and then being ready, we started out^[1] and took them. There were in her one White man and two Indians; who being examined, told us that the Ship which we saw at the Rivers mouth had lain there fix months, guarding the River^[1], waiting for our coming; that she had 12 Guns, and 150 Sea-men and Souldiers: that the Sea-men all lay aboard, but the Souldiers lay ashore in their Tent; that there were 300 men at the Mines^[2], who had all small Arms, and would be aboard in two Tydes time^[2]. They likewise told us, that there were two Ships cruising in the Bay^[3], between this place and Gorgonia^[4]; the biggest had 20 Guns and 200 men, the other 10 Guns, and 150 men: Besides all this, they told us that the Indians on this side the Coun- try were our Enemies; which was the worst news of all. However we presently brought these Priso- ners aboard, and got under sail^[3], turning^[4] out with the Tyde of Ebb, for it was not convenient to stay longer there.

We did not long consider what to do; but in- tended to land that night, or the next day betimes; for we did not question but we should either get a good commerce with the Indians, by such toys as we had purposely brought with us, or else force our way through their Country, in spight of all their opposition: and we did not fear what the Spaniards could do against us, in case they should land and come afrer us. We had a strong Souther- ly Wind, which blew right in; and the Tyde of Ebb being far spent, we could not turn out.

I per-