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Poftefs Voyage 



for vessels, though much exposed to the prevalent winds, and 

 to a heavy swell which is setting in there, and I have reason to 

 believe the bottom is foul, therefore do not consider it by any 

 means a safe anchorage. From the aforesaid beach is a pathway, 

 much trodden, which leads directly to the springs ; and this path- 

 way once found, there can be no difficuky in finding them. They 

 are about three miles distant from the shore, and an abundance 

 of water was to be had when we were there. The road here is 

 the best in the island, though in many places steep and difficult. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Arrival at Tumhez ; Return to the Gallipagos. 



We passed on the 8th of June to the northward of Abington 

 island, and from thence made the best of our way for the river 

 Tumbez, intending, however, to touch at the island of La Plata 

 on my way there, to leave a letter for Lieutenant Downes. 



On the night of the 16th discovered the land a-head, bearing 

 S. by E ; and as we had, the preceding day, been beating up 

 along shore, I had expected in the morning to be up with the island 

 of La Plata. At this place, it is said, Admiral Drake anchored, 

 and divided his plunder ; and as it was reported to be a place little 

 frequented, and furnishing both hogs and goats, I believed 

 (should it answer the description given of it) that it would be an 

 admirable place for a rendezvous. All British, and indeed other 

 vessels, bound either from the Gallipagos to Tumbez, as well as 

 those from Mexico, Panama, &c. &c., and bound to the south, 

 pass within sight of this island, as indeed do those bound to the 

 north from Lima and other parts of Peru, as well as those from 

 the coast of Chili. This island was supposed to be the more 

 suitable for our purpose, as it was represented as very high, and 

 affording an extensive view of the horizon. At day-light I ran 

 in for La Plata, until I supposed myself within two miles of it, 

 when I hove too. A small sail was discovered to the eastward, in 

 chase of which I sent the Atlantic and Greenwich ; then took 

 two whale-boats, and proceeded to examine the island, giving 

 directions to the Essex to lie off and on until my return. I soon 

 found I had been deceived in estimation of my distance from 

 the island, for, on my arrival there, I could scarcely see the 

 ships. On the east side I found a soft, white, sandy beach, with 

 smooth water, and every appearance of good anchorage and shel- 

 ter. On sounding within musket shot of the shore, could get no 

 bottom with twenty-two fathoms of line, and on the strictest 

 examination could find no fresh water, although I went on shore 



