[ 499 3 



jet we foon killed fix of the Indians, as alfo damaged their 

 canoe. They now experienced how much we were able to annoy 

 them, and feemed to be aftonilhed. They afterwards covered 

 their dead with their jackets, and at laft returned to fuch a dii- 

 tance that we could not reach them with our mot ; in which 

 retreat they were affiled by the other canoes, who had not before 

 fupported them. They then held a council, which ended in 

 their going back to their village. 



Our commander, in the mean time, hearing the difcharge of 

 ourmufquets, thought we mould want ammunition, and fent us 

 fome in the launch, in which we call: anchor along fide of the 

 frigate. We then went on board, hoping that we mould be 

 permitted to ufe the launch, land with an armed force, deftroy 

 the villages of the Indians, and try to recover thofe of our own 

 people, who perhaps had hid themfelvefi in the woods, or had 

 faved themfelves by fwimming. 



On this point we held a council, at which the commander 

 ftated our dangerous fituation, the difficulties in landing we were 

 to expect, both from fea and weather, and the diftance of the 

 village ; he alfo added, that the deflruclion of our people was 

 almoft diftin&ly feen, and therefore that there could be little 

 probability of any one's having efcaped. 



D. CrihWal de Revilla and D. Juan Perez were of opinion 

 we mould directly fail, although the commander b and myfelf 

 prefled taking fome revenge for the butchery of our comrades, 

 as likewife waiting to know the fate of thofe who might have 

 lurvived by fwimming, and who muft neceffarily furrender them- 

 felves to the Barbarians. We alfo dwelt upon the ftrong pre- 

 fumption, that it would be agreeable to his majefty that the In- 



* The commander feeras to have given different advice before. 



Sss 2 dians 



