en more easily than our canoe
could carry five. Moreover the Indians had also fitted a good sail to
the canoe, so that, having a fresh breeze, we set sail and moved rapidly
away, to the infinite joy and comfort of our hearts. In one place we ran
into a heavy sea, which was caused by a strong current and the heavy
winds, and many times our boat was filled with spray. Again at night it
rained heavily for several hours and was very dark.

About nine o'clock we discovered two fires on the shore of the mainland.
The Indians began to shout and to cry out joyously that these fires were
made by their companions. Accordingly we made for the shore as fast as
we could drive, but as soon as we had reached it about sixty Spaniards,
armed with clubs and other arms, rushed out into the breakers, laid hold
of our canoe on both sides and pulled it out of the water. Thus were we
all taken and made prisoners. I laid hold of my gun, thinking to defend
myself, but it was all in vain, for four or five of them stopped and
overpowered me. The Indians leaped overboard and got away very nimbly
into the woods, though my companions were too much amazed to make any
attempt to escape.

Our captors could speak neither French nor English, but I was able to
talk, in Latin, with one of them who seemed more intelligent than the
rest, and from him I learned that these were Spaniards who had been put
ashore by our other boats for fear that some of them might escape and
warn Panama that we were on our way to capture it. For this reason the
Spaniards were much rejoiced at taking us, and they designed to treat us
very severely for plundering their town of Santa Maria.

But even while the Spaniard was talking to me, there came in a poor
wretch that I had saved from the Indians. When he reported how kindly I
had treated him and the rest of his companions, the captain rose from
his seat and embraced me, saying, "You Englishmen are very friendly
enemies and good people, but the Indians are rogues and a treacherous
nation. Come and sit by me and eat of the victuals which your companions
left us when they turned from shore." For the kindness I had shown their
countrymen, the Spaniards agreed to give us our lives and liberty, but
it was only after long persuasion that I could induce them to spare the
lives of the Indians. However, I accomplished this and was bidden to
take my canoe and go in God's name, with the wish that we might be as
fortunate as we had been ge