Mr Penrose, page 5
We had now been out a full month and had taken nothing of value, so that our crew began to murmer greatly and begged of the Captain to cruise on the Spanish Main. He objected that our provision would soon run short. Nevertheless, I could find a general discontent to reign among the people. I now wished heartily that I had never came among them, and as we had some of the true descendants of the old Buckkaneers among us did not know what they might intend. At last they privatly drew up a Round Robbin; the major part of the Crew signed it but I declined putting my hand to the paper. The Officers, finding this, were obliged to comply and away we shaped our course for the Main shore.
A few days after this the wind came to blow fresh at North, and increased so that we were forced often to lay too. At length it became more moderate. We were now in the lattitude of 15, and in the night one of our hands cried out, “Breakers ahead!” We tacked immediatly but had only time enough and that was all. As the wind died away we let go the anchor in 8 fathom, and thus waited for day. When the morning came, a morning I never longed more for in my life, we found the vessel surrounded with rocks and Shoals. Not above two of our hands knew where we were, and those not determined in the same opinion. At last they agreed it to be those dangerous shoals called Quita Suenno or Prevent Sleep.4 A concern new fell upon my mind as thus—what a pitiful state we were really in, a small Vessel full of people and no more than one poor Canoa to help us in case of extreamity. One of these quandom Pilots advised us to stand away for Santa Catarina,5 where we arrived two days after, took on shore water casks, and boot-top’t6 the Vessel. Here the sons of noise took it into their heads that they should have no luck untill they finished all the remainder of the Rum on board. And after the water was all on board, the play began; and matters were carried to such a height that it became one round of Gunning, Fishing, drinking, fighting, and uproar. And I now began to think I truly experienced a tast of Piracy, saving that we had a good Commission on board.
The next day we stood away to the Southward, and on the next a Sail hove in sight. We chased her the whole day long, gaining but little upon her. On the morrow we saw her right on the lee bow; we had the wind then Northerly. The chase was now renewed and we seemed to come up with her hand over hand, when she altered her course right before it and left us like the wind. About sunset we saw land and took it for the Main, so kept under an easy sail all that night. On the morrow we found she had given us the slip and that We had nighed the Shore greatly by a Current. We stood in for a few hours, and then ran along ranging the shore at the distance of about 4 leagues untill the evening when we fell in with the soundings in thirty fathom. Shortly after, it shoaled to 16 with patches of Rocks. Here we hove too, and all hands fell to fishing with good success. While we were All busy at this sport a Tortoise swam alongside. They called for the Grainge,7 and three of us jumped into the Canoa then alongside and pushed after it, but without success, As it was now almost dark. When we came back they vered her astern and I remain’d in her, where being much the worse for liquor as that very day we had finished the last drop on board the vessel [sic].
1. A schooner Recovery is listed among the Royal Navy vessels of the period; but this is probably an anachronistic use of the name of a famous Bristol privateer first mentioned in 1758.
2. Of the channel between Hog Island and Nassau.
3. The North and South Bimini Islands lie directly east of Miami, Florida.
4. The low-lying Quita Sueño group stretches from about 14° to 14° 30’ N., some 150 miles off the coast of Nicaragua.
5. Santa Catalina, called Providence Island by its English Puritan settlers, lies directly south of the Quita Sueño group, halfway down the Nicaraguan coast.
6. Cleaned and daubed over with resin, etc., the upper part of the ship’s hull, by rolling or heeling it from side to side.
7. Properly spelled grains, a fish spear or harpoon with two or more “grains” or prongs.
Chapter 3
How long I slept I knew not untill the great motion of the boat awoke me; and as I was rubbing my Eyes to my great wonder I missed the Schooner. The consternation soon sobered me, and what to do or how to act I knew not in the least. Horrible was now my condition as the wind freshed up more and more. At last I saw a flash and heard a gun go off, but a great way out. But for me to pretend to gain the Vessel again was impossible, so I at once gave over the thought. Thus I drove and baled as I drove in a Sort of despair untill the dawn of the day.
I was now close inshore and put into a small beach where I ran the Canoa on shore, jumped out, and haled her up. I could just discern the Privateer in the offing a great way out. Now while I was standing thus eagerly gazing about I saw a large brigg streatching out as in quest of our Vessel. She was near enough for me to see that she was a Cruiser. Thus I marched about, sometimes seating myself on the gunwale of the Canoa. It is impossible for me to give a just idea of the state of my mind, but thus I remain’d untill I lost sight of both the Vessels. I now looked round me and could see nothing but a wild country of Palmetto trees and Shrubs, but if inhabited or not-as being an utter stranger in this part of the world—I knew not.
Now as I thus sat musing what was next to be done-having no more than a Sailor’s frock over my shirt, a pair of petticoat trowsers, my knife in one pockket, and my fishing tackling with a few hooks in the other, and my Bonnet on my head; these with the Canoa, Paddles, and Grainge were all my store in this my state of desolation-the first thing I went upon was getting a stone for a killick1 to my boat. This thought naturally made me cast an Eye on the Painter,2 and I found that it had slipt the belaying.3 Thus I spent the day in dolefull dumps.
At the end of the bay where I landed ran out a Reef of Rocks. Now while I was gazing every way round me, to my great surprise I beheld a Man standing on the shore and could discern him to be naked, holding a kind of Oar in his hand. I directly concluded he was a Savage, he being not above two hundred yards from me. I directly laid myself flat on the rocks and sand to observe his motions undiscovered. Shortly after this he began to walk towards me, looking out now and then. My heart now beat in my breast, and whither to speak him or not was the case. The prospect before me was now become dreadful, (Viz) Either to starve for hunger or to fall into the hands of merciless Savages who perhaps would soon rid me of all my troubles. However, committing myself into the hands of Providence, I determin’d to make my self visible as he was now within 60 yards of me. Up I got and stept down on the beach. When he first saw me he halted. I then hail’d him and made signs for him to come on. The first salutation was he clapped his hands over his Eyes, leaning forward, and then spread them abroad. I then did the same. Upon this he stept up to me and held out his hand. I recieved it, then he looked me full in ye face and said, “Christianos?” I answered, “Se, Señor” or “Signior.” He then stooped down and made a cross with his finger in the sand, then laid his hand on my shoulder and made as for me to follow him. I did so, and we walked along the shore. He talked to me the whole time but I could make out nothing.
At last we came to a small inlet. Here was his Canoa, and in it sat a Woman stark naked and had a little boy about three years of age with her in the same state of nature with herself. She seem’d to be greatly alarmed at the sight of me. I found the man, who seem’d to be about 50 years of age, to use all manner of menes to clear her of her doubts. Upon this I went to the side of the canoa and patted the child on his head; this pleased the man much, I found. He then gave me a piece of half roasted turtle out of his boat. I was quite ravenous, having not had one morsel from the time I went adrift.
Now the man gave a sort of cry as to a person at a distance. I looked and saw a boy run among the high grass. The Indian then gave me a sign to stay by the Canoa, and away he went after him. Upon this the woman sat up her pipes and began to bawl to some purpose, the child bearing his part. This brought the Indian back again and he took me along with him. He went in among the grass and by much adoe brought out the other Boy, but the poor lad was so much frighted that I should have imagined he had never seen a white man before. When we came back the Woman began afresh. I observed they had several articles in the boat such as turtle, Eggs, guano’s,4 and the like. Their boat was not above two feet wide altho she was above 16 feet long. After this ye man and boy got into her and I naturally thought they woud give me a seat with them. Now as the wife still went on with her clamour the Man he handed me out a large Calabash by a string, and pointing to a place said, “Agua, agua.” I understood he meant Water, and ran off to fetch it but after serching a time could find none. Now the reader will be surprised when on my going to return I saw the Indians paddling off as fast as they could, and were got above 50 yards from shore. I stood like a man thunderstruck for a time, but they soon got round a point of rocks and left me to shife [shift] as I could.
The Sun was now set and I had to ramble back to the Canoa. Now as I was on my return it came into my head that my late new friend had certainly handed me out the Calabash as a stratagem in order that he might gaine time to escape, As I supposed by the woman’s behaviour, She would not consent to my going with them through some fear of my ill behavour to her or hers. At last I got back to the Canoa and seated myself in the sternsheets. I then haled up the boat as high as I could and pulled off my frock, then laying at my length in her covered my breast with it to ward of the dew which falls so heavy in these parts, and then fell to reflecting within my mind, but in hope I should see the schooner next day. But, alas, never did I see the Recovery more in my life.
When I fell asleep I knew not, nor did I waken untill the Sun was high. Directly I turn’d out to look in the offing, but to no purpose. I was forced to cut a bit of lead off my poor Sinker to chew, as I was almost choaking with thirst. After this I marched along shore to hunt food, and found plenty of Wilks (a shell fish).5 These I broke against the rock stones, took them to my boat where I sat down and ate four raw as they were, with the tears of true Sorrow trickling down my cheeks. And now, had I had my hat full of dollars, they should all have gone for one stick of fire.
The next thing was to go in serch of Water. I wandered about for above an hour and return’d without finding any. In this ramble I found that I was on an Island as I conjectured by its position, or else a long point. After this I began a new rout and in this march came very near the end of my tether on a point terminating with rocks and a small reefe. I then came back and took out a paddle, went away toward the point, and finding a clear place of sand fell to digging. This work cost me an hours hard labour, but still no success. I then threw down my paddle and then myself on my face, not caring whither I lived or died; but after a time I got up thinking to return, launch my boat, And put along shore the other way. But as I stooped to take up my paddle, to my unspeakable joy water had sprang up in my well. Instantly I stooped down and tasted it with my hand; it was brackish but tollerable. This was a great relief, and on all fours I drank my fill. After this I return’d to the Canoa. Thus kind Providence in so short a time provided me both meat and drink, such as it was.
Now I became easier in my mind, being out of dread of immediatly starving. I then went back to fetch my Calabash full, brought it, and fixed it in the boat. After this I took a walk along shore westward. In this march I found a Conch, and with a stone returned, sate down on the bow of the boat, and worked round the crown of the shell untill I drew out the fish; and as it is of a sweet taste found it very pleasing to my palate. In the evening I prepared to compose myself to rest and slept sound the whole night, arose next morning by daylight, and walked away along shore as far as the little creek6 where the Indians forsook me.
Here I finished the remains of my Conch (or Conck), then tramp’d on through the creek about 2 miles farther. Here I could plainly see the full extent of it and that it was an Island. Upon this I mounted an old dead tree to look out, and to my great sorrow found it to be not above half a mile over. I presently took the alarm as judging it no place of any great Succour for me. Now as I thus explored the places around, I saw at about the distanct of five miles or so a more promising shore as of a much bigger Island or perhaps the Main itself. Down I hurried and made back for my boat as fast as I could, being determined if the weather Proved moderate the next day to take leve of this place. The rest of the day I spent in preparing for my departure.
I never failed to keep a sharp look out for the Schooner as I was far from giving her quite up; but finding she did not appear again came to this opinion, that the Brigg I had seen stretch out for her had either sunk or taken her. If not so, they had concluded to shape their course some other way, not caring to risk the seeking of me and the boat again. At other times I would Imagine they had returned to those Maroon Islands7 again, and had either bilged on them or foundered at sea. Thus agitated betwixt hope and despair I passed my lonely hours. I could not sleep for the great hurry of my mind.
About midnight it began to rain hard and lasted so that I was drench’d and much water in the Canoa. At last it began to hold up, and the day came on as still as a clock. I then got out, took my frock and wrung it out, then threw it on the grass. I did the same with my shirt and trowsers, then put on my frock that it might dry on my back, and in this trim I fell to bale out my boat. I then took the Calabash to drink and found the rain had so freshen’d it that it quite rais’d my spirits. After this I clapt on board my killick, and when I had got her afloat I replaced my calabash. I then took a walk along shore, gather’d about 20 Wilks, and threw them into her. By this time my shirt and trowsers were tolerably dry and I put them on and then prepared for my departure.
I paddled away along shore, passed the place where my well was, and then ventured out to double ye reef of rocks. I then stood away north on new discoveries. The deepest water I had seemed to be about 3 fathom and often not one. After I had been on my voyage for about three quarters of an hour I observed on a small key some odd white spots. Thither I turned, but as I drew nigh an incredible number of Birds of many kinds arose like clouds. Their noise almost made me deaf. Here I landed and found those white things to be King Conks. These shell are so large some of them will contain three quarts of Water. I put five of them in my boat and then began to gather Eggs. While I was at this work the Pelicans would brush by my head so as almost to knock off my bonnet.
After this I put off for my new shore, and in about an hour got close in under the land. Here I found it bluff too, then a beach, the land overgrown with trees. Now as I paddled along I Espied a kind of Creek about a pistol shott over; in I put and found the water to Shoal to about 4 feet. I was so delighted with these new scenes that fear never once entered my noddle. I found the land on both sides about the height of a boats mast; but as I advanced in farther I found it to be a Lagoon or Lake. Here the Mangrove trees hung over my head laden with Oysters like traces of Onions. It abounded with fish of diverse kinds in great abundance. The Spoonbills, Galldings, Cranes, sat on the trees without taking much notice of me as being seldom used to the sight of men. At length I came to an opening. Fortune directed me that I should take to the left; this brought me to another branch where it opened wide all at once. Here I found a small sandy shore. I then threw out my killick and jumped on shore.
It was now about meridian as I judged by the Sun. Here I walked up the bank and found the soil bare with rocks for about an hundred yards round; and as I stood viewing I saw a kind of gap at some distance among the trees. Thither I walked and when I came to examine the place I found to my surprise another branch, and that I was got on a small precipice with a pretty sandy beach beneath me. I then looked out for some way to get below. Now as I was doing this I saw plainly over the trees the Island I had left in the morning. At last I got down on the sands below. Here I found a Cavern running into the Rock; into this place I went and found it to be about 15 feet deep. There I halted to look round. The mouth was as I judged about 10 feet in height and 18 feet wide with a gravel bottom. Here I seated myself and found a piece of wood cut in the form of a masque. Now, I thought to myself, I am not the first of Mankind who have visited this place.
After this I returned to my boat, being resolved to find out a way by water to this place if possible. When I came with the canoa to the point of the opening I there cut a branch of the mangrove and hung it up perpendicular by way of knowing the place again. I then took to the other arm of the Lagoon and in a short time after found it to bring me round to the Cave, and there I resolved to take up my abode for the present. Then I carried on shore all my little matters—my whole furniture consisted of my lines, three spare hooks, the Calabash, and the 5 shells.8 After this was done I seated myself on the ground, fell too on my raw wilks, and took a draught of Water, then laid me down and fell fast asleep.
About 5 I awoke, when the dread of my wants in future took such impression of my mind that I got into my Canoa and away I went round to the place where hung my new Signal branch, and from thence paddled out to the mouth of the creek. After this I ran her on shore and threw out ye killick and went along shore in qust of food, but found only three wilks. This threw me into a heavy quandary. Now as I thus moved on with my face to the ground my ears were struck with a soft murmer as of water. I directly followed it; when going up to a small opening between the trees, to my unspeakable joy I beheld a pretty little linn9 of water falling over a shelve. This was an Estate to me worth more than the whole Bank of England. I ran back to my boat, paddled away as fast as I could for my Calabash, and returned forthwith, with two of my largest Shells also. These I fill’d and then chocked them up with stones and returned to my Cave with them, intending to go no more out untill morning. At the close of Night the Moskeetoes and sand flies begant to anoy me much, which took off many hours repose, but I had no remedy for it as wanting fire. I then crawl’d into the back part of the cave and covered my face and hands with my frock, and rested midlingly well untill day.
