The 30th, Three Boats Were Sent Again To The
Watering-Place, With Nine Or Ten Soldiers To Protect The Seamen When On
Shore.
Shortly after, being out of sight of the fleet, several
cannon-shot were heard from the Huntsman, which had been stationed to
command the watering-place, on which the admiral sent three armed boats
to see what was the matter.
On coming to the Huntsman, they were told
that five canoes, full of well-armed Portuguese and Mestees, had
attacked the three boats, and slain all their men. The Dutch armed boats
pursued the canoes, of which they soon came in sight; but on following
them round a point, saw two stout frigates or armed barks riding at
anchor, to which the canoes retired for protection, and the boats had to
return to the admiral with the dismal news of the fate of their
companions.
A conspiracy was discovered on the 1st January, 1615, of certain persons
who proposed to have run away with one of the ships, and for which two
men were executed, several others being put in irons, and distributed
among the other ships of the fleet. Before leaving this place, orders
were given, if any ship lost company of the rest, that her commander was
to set up a conspicuous mark in the haven of de Cordes, or some other
usual landing place in the straits; and, after waiting a certain fixed
time, was to proceed for the isle of Mocha on the coast of Chili, as the
place of rendezvous. Having no fit provisions for the sick, they
resolved also to remove from the Islas Grandes to the isle of St
Vincent. Here they were delayed by the Portuguese, who appear to have
captured some of their men; for, having taken a bark with eighteen
Portuguese on the 26th January, the Portuguese of St Vincent refused to
give a smaller number of Hollanders in exchange for these, though also
offered many fair manuscripts, pictures, plate, and other things
belonging to the jesuits, which had been taken in the prize.
They departed from St Vincent in the beginning of February, having first
burnt their prize and some buildings on shore, and furnished themselves
amply with oranges and pomecitrons. In lat. 52 deg. 6' S. they were
distressed by a severe storm on the 7th March, which continued several
days, and separated the ships. On the 21st a mutiny broke out, for which
several of the most notoriously guilty were capitally punished. They
entered the straits on the 28th, but were forced out again, by adverse
winds and currents. They entered again on the 2d of April, and saw a man
of gigantic stature climbing a high hill on the southern shore of the
straits, called Terra del Fuego, or the land of fire. They went ashore
on the 7th, when they saw two ostriches, and found a large river of
fresh water, beside which grew many shrubs producing sweet
black-berries. Being in lat.
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