of John Codbutn, &c. 1 2 5 



cure a Pafs that would allow us to go by the 

 Caftle of St. John, which Hands on an Ifland 

 in the Neck of the Lake, about fifty 

 Leagues from hence, he would not only give 

 us our Paffage, but pay us well for our La- 

 bour. This Caftle of St. John, commands 

 all Velfels that pafs up the Lake, the 

 Channel being fo narrow, and full of Bars 

 and Shoals, that it is impoffible for any Vef- 

 fel to fail up it, without borrowing clofe 

 upon the Caftle, for which Reafon he durft 

 not take us without a Pafs. The Governor 

 of the Caftle being at this Time at Granada, 

 in whofe Power only it was to grant us fuch 

 a Pafs, we went and petition'd him on that 

 Matter, at the fame time fetting forth our 

 great Hardships, our Inability to endure 

 more, and remonftrating, that if he did 

 not grant us this Favour, fo much, and im- 

 mediately in his Power, we lhould be com- 

 pelled to travel many Hundreds of Leagues 

 out of our Way, and go over the Moun- 

 tains of Nicaragua, a Thing deemed im- 

 practicable for Foot Travellers; and inftiort, 

 that we were informed, we had all the moft 

 difficult Part of the Country yet to go 

 through, and in the worft Seafon of the 



Year^ 



