ke
the attempt, they would undermine and overthrow, or otherwise break
it open, in such sort, as we might have easy access to his greatest
treasure."

Our Captain having heard all their opinions, concluded so that by
dividing his company, the two first different sentences were both
reconciled, both to be practised and put in use.

JOHN OXNAM appointed in the _Bear_, to be sent Eastward towards Tolou,
to see what store of victuals would come athwart his half; and himself
would to the Westward in the _Minion_, lie off and on the _Cabecas_,
where was the greatest trade and most ordinary passage of those which
transported treasure from Veragua and Nicaragua to the Fleet; so that
no time might be lost, nor opportunity let slip either for victuals or
treasure. As for the attempt of Veragua, or Signior PEZORO'S house by
land, by marching through the woods; he liked not of, lest it might
overweary his men by continual labour; whom he studied to refresh and
strengthen for his next service forenamed.

Therefore using our Cimaroons most courteously, dismissing those that
were desirous to their wives, with such gifts and favours as were most
pleasing, and entertaining those still aboard his ship, which were
contented to abide with the company remaining; the pinnaces departed as
we determined: the _Minion_ to the West, the _Bear_ to the East.

The _Minion_ about the _Cabecas_, met with a frigate of Nicaragua, in
which was some gold, and a Genoese Pilot (of which Nation there are many
in those coasts), which had been at Veragua not past eight days before.
He being very well entreated, certified our Captain of the state of the
town, and of the harbour, and of a frigate that was there ready to come
forth within few days, aboard which there was above a million of gold,
offering to conduct him to it, if we would do him his right: for that he
knew the channel very perfectly, so that he could enter by night safely
without danger of the sands and shallows, though there be but little
water, and utterly undescried; for that the town is five leagues within
the harbour, and the way by land is so far about and difficult through
the woods, that though we should by any casualty be discovered, about
the point of the harbour, yet we might despatch our business and depart,
before the town could have notice of our coming.

At his being there, he perceived they had heard of DRAKE'S being on the
coast, which had put them in great fear, as in all ot