In This Unfortunate Rencontre, Forty-Seven Spaniards Were Killed, And Many
Wounded, Five Of Whom Died On Board.
The wounded men endured excruciating
pain while in the boats, in consequence of their wounds being wet with sea
water, which caused them to swell much.
All the people cursed the pilot
Alaminos for bringing them to this place, who still persisted that this
country was an island. They called this place Bahia de Mala Prelea, or
the Bay of Evil Battle, on account of the misfortune they had here
encountered. On arriving at the ships, the Spaniards gave thanks to God
for their deliverance from danger; and being all wounded except one, they
came to the resolution of returning to Cuba, and set fire to one of their
ships which had become leaky, as they had not now able hands enough to
manage the sails of both, and to work the pumps. Being much distressed for
water, as they had been constrained to abandon their casks at Pontonchan,
some of the soundest of the men went on shore at a creek which they called
De los Logartos, on account of the numbers of alligators found there.
Finding no water here but what was brackish, Alaminos, and the other
pilots, recommended to stand over to the coast of Florida, where they
arrived in four days. Alaminos went on shore in search of water, with
twenty of the stoutest soldiers, armed with cross-bows and muskets, the
Captain Hernandez begging them to bring him some water as speedily as
possible, as he was perishing of thirst.
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