From thence, Spilbergen departing, Landed at last on the Island of St. Mary, where he burnt all the Spanish Villages; as he did also in Val Parysa.
After going ashore, in the Haven Quintero, he saw abundance of Wild Horses drinking out of a Rivulet, supply’d with fresh Water from an adjoyning steep Mountain; so soon as they espy’d Men, they instantly running away, were seen no more.
Bloody fight between the Hollanders and Spanish Fleet.
Having left Quintero, and spent a Moneth in Sailing farther, they discry’d eight great Ships; whereupon the Prisoners inform’d them, that it was the Spanish Fleet, of which Roderigo de Mendoza was Admiral, fitted out on purpose to fight Spilbergen, whose coming (as we said) was known a year before. At midnight Mendoza Boarded Spilbergen, but was so roughly receiv’d, that he was forc’d to Retreat with the loss of the Ship St. Francisco. At Day-break, the Holland Admiral fir’d at Mendoza, who answering with equal courage, occasion’d a smart Engagement, wherein the Spaniards were so hard beset, that they put forth a White Flag; but it was immediately taken in again by the Commanders aboard, choosing rather to die, than surrender, because they had mock’d at Mendoza, when he hinted the difficulty of the Enterprize in the Grand Peruvian Councel, saying, They went out, onely to take a few disabled Hollanders, and tying them hand and feet, carry them to Execution. Yet their high and proud Stomachs prov’d very fatal to them, for afterwards totally routed and put to flight, most of them sunk by the way.
Calyow de Lima.
This done, the Hollanders victoriously Sail’d to Calyow de Lima, having a convenient Haven: The City adorn’d with curious Houses and Temples, is strengthen’d by a Platform, Planted with great Guns towards the Sea, and the Shore was guarded by eight Troops of Horse, and four thousand Foot; whereupon Spilbergen, who was yet to go so great a Voyage, judg’d it no way convenient to adventure the loss of all on the good or bad event of a Battel, especially being so much over-power’d by the number of the Enemy: Wherefore seeing no hopes of Victory, setting forward to Guarma, he got some fresh Provisions.
Peyta burnt.
Against the City Peyta, he play’d his Cannon with such fury, that the Townsmen deserted the place, which he observing, set it on fire, and Sail’d to Aquapulque, where from the Fort at first the Spaniards fired some Guns at them; but soon after changing humor, they came to an Accommodation, furnishing the Hollanders with convenient Provisions. Passing on, and coming to Selaques, both Natives and Spaniards having suffer’d some of the Hollanders to Land; after set upon them treacherously in a Thicket, but to their little advantage, for they made so good a Defence, that the Assailants not able to bear the brunt, fled with great loss.
Spilbergen Sailing from hence to the Manilla’s, waited there for the Spanish Admiral Juan de Silva, who had made (as was reported) great preparations for him long since; but seeing it was in vain, at last he return’d to Zealand where he came to an Anchor, loaden with Riches, in the middle of Summer, Anno 1617.