Page 98
Cruifings.
An. 1684
Towns were confidered on, as Guiaquil, Zana, Truxillo, and others: At laft Truxillo was pitched on, as the moft important; therefore the likelieft to make us a Voyage if we could Conquer it: which we did not much queftion; though we knew it to be a very populous City. But the greateft difficulty was in Landing; for Guanchaque, which is the near- eft Sea-port to it, but 6 miles off, is an ill place to Land; fince fometimes the very Fifhermen that live there are not able to go out in 3 or 4 days. How- ever the 17th of May in the Afternoon, our Men were muftered of both Ships Companies, and their Arms proved. We, were in all 108 Men fit for Ser- vice; befides the fick: and the next day we intend- ed to Sail and take the Wood Prize with us. But the next day one of our Men being afhoar betimes on the Iland defcried three Sail bound to the North- ward; two of them without the Iland, to the Weftward; the other between it and the Continent.
We foon got our Anchors up and chafed: and Captain Eaton, who drew the leaft draught of Wa- ter, put through between the Weftermoft Iland and the Rocks, and went after thofe two that were without the Ilands. We in Captain Cook's Ship went after the other, which ftood in for the Main- Land: but we foon fetched her up; and having taken her, ftood in again with her to the Iland; for we faw that Captain Eaton wanted no help, ha- ving taken both thofe that he went after. He came in with one of his Prizes; but the other was fo far to Leeward, and fo deep that he could not then get her in: but he hoped to get her in the next day: but being deep laden, as defigned to go down be- fore the wind to Panama, fhe would not bear Sail.
The 19th day fhe turned all day; but got nothing nearer the Iland. Our Moskito ftrikers according to their cuftom went out and ftruck 6 Turtles; for here are indifferent plenty of them. These Ships that