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An. 1681
And Account of the Moskito Indians.
I persuaded them to run into the River of Congo, which is a large River, about three leagues from the Islands where we lay; which with a Southerly Wind we could have done: and when we were got so high as the Tide flows, then we might have landed. But all the Arguments I could use were not of force sufficient to convince them that there was a large River so near us; but they would land somewhere, they neither did know how, where, nor when.
River of Congo
When we had rowed and towed against the Wind all night, we just got about Cape St. Lorenzo in the morning; and sailed about 4 miles farther to the Westward, and run into a small Creek with- in two Keys, or little Islands, and rowed up to the head of the Creek, being about a mile up, and there we landed, May 1. 1681.
Cape St. Lorenzo
We got our all our Provision and Cloaths, and then sunk our Vessel.
While we were landing, and fixing our Snap- sacks to march, our Moskito Indians struck a plenti- ful dish of Fish, which we immediately drest, and therewith satisfy d our hunger.
Having made mention of the Moskito Indians, it may not be amiss to conclude this Chapter with a short account of them. They are tall, well made, raw-boned, lusty, strong, and nimble of foot; long-visag d, lank black hair, look stern, hard-fa- vour’d, and of a dark Copper-colour Complexion. They are but a small Nation or Family, and not 100 men of them in number, inhabiting on the Main, on the North side, near Cape Gratia Dios; between Cape Honduras and Nicaragua. They are very ingenious at throwing the Lance, Fisgig, Har- poon, or any manner of Dart, being bred to it from their Infancy; for the Children imitating their Pa- rents, never go abroad without a Lance in their hands, which they throw at any object, till use hath made
Cape Gratia Dios