In the Bay La Baya, the Dutch Admiral, with a Spanish Flag on his top-Mast, sent one of his Sea-men in a Fryers garb ashore, if possible under that disguise, to get Provisions; which falling out according to their Design, they were supply’d with all manner of Victuals: After that, the Hollanders burnt five Villages on the Island Capull; took a Chinesy Vessel, one Spanish Barque, and a Carvel Laden with Brandy from Cocos; and after a great and bloody Fight sunk the Admiral of the Manilla’s, and so at last with various fortunes arriv’d at Rotterdam, having in three years encompass’d the World.
Sect. XVIa.
The Expedition of George Van Spilbergen.
Anno 1614. the eighth of August, the East-India Company of the United Netherlands set out seven Ships under the Command of George Spilbergen, who coming to Cape St. Vincent, and engaging with the Portuguese, took one of their Ships, and so proceeded on his Voyage to the Straights of Magellan, but by a huge Storm, the Fleet was separated. Amongst those that were scatter’d was the good Ship call’d Meruw, in which some of the crew had conspir’d to have kill’d the Master, and seiz’d the Vessel; but he having some inkling thereof, set so stoutly upon two of the chief Contrivers with his drawn Hanger, that he forc’d them to leap over-board, and as stoutly ordering the rest, set all to rights.
Strange Corps.
But Spilbergen Landing on one of the Penguyn Islands, found two Dead Bodies just cover’d with Earth, about their Necks was a Chain of glistering Snail Shells neatly strung; the Grave stuck full of Bowes and Arrows, was pleasant to look upon, between several high Mountains, whose tops lay bury’d in Snow: The Fleet came out of the Straights of Magellan, but not without great danger, for the South-Sea much disturb’d by tempestuous Weather, seem’d to raise its Waves up to the Sky, so that they had enough to do, from being ingag’d among the Rocks: But at last with great difficulty, wonderfully escaping all danger, they Anchor’d before La Mocha, an Island which on the North side lies low, and on the South defended by Rocks.
Spilbergen in great danger.
Strange sheep.
Spilbergen seeing abundance of Men standing on the Shore, Row’d thither to Barter for Merchandize, amongst them was a Sheep with a long Neck, bunch-Back’d like a Camel, a little Mouth, and long Legs; which Beast serves them in stead of Horses, to carry their burthens, and perform their Tillage. The Americans breed up these Sheep every where, by reason of the extraordinary benefit they receive from them, some of them keeping no less than eighteen hundred. Their Shepherds ride upon a Beast almost like an Ox, and carry in their hands Copper-plates, hung round about with Bells, which they shake, making a different noise when their Sheep shall go in or out; and on their Heads wear Feathers like Coronets, standing upright.
St. Maries burnt.
And also Val Parysa.