Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/97

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one having his Firelock and other Arms ready. It is a knotted crooked Wood, growing in Marshes, three or four together up the two Creeks, or Lagunas, about eight Leagues from where the shipping Rides; it is very hard, and bears a small Leaf like a Heart. They Saw it down, then cut pieces of it of about four or five Foot long, then cleave it. It is of a dark or purple, near a black colour. The English, who have lived there many years, Cut and Sell it to the Sloops for about Three Pound per Tun, for which the Sloops bring them Cloathing, Victuals, Rum, Sugar, &c. The Sloops carry this Wood, and sell it at Port-Royal for about Six Pound per Tun; the half of the Profit going to the Master of the Sloop. When any of the English at Campeche resolve to come away, they having got Logwood, it may be Thirty or Forty Tun, they embark it and themselves in a Sloop for Jamaica, where the half Profits go to themselves, and the half to the Master, otherwise they send it, and paying the Fraight, viz. the half Profits, their Money is return'd them. The Indians of this place us'd formerly to Trade with them, but the English not keeping ther Faith, but taking and selling them, they are retired up into the Country several Leagues. There are on an Island near this, wild Cows and Bulls in abundance; there are also wild Deer near this River. The Spaniards who are offended at this settlement equipp'd some Periaguas and Hulks against them; but before they were ready they were burnt by the English, since they only lie out at Sea off this place cruising on their Sloops and Merchant Men. The English have a place stronger than their Huts for their Provision, and when a Strength much greater than theirs comes against them, they retire to the Woods. They have been cut off several times by the Spaniards in this place, and yet have settled here again. This usage of the Spaniards is somewhat harsh, if what Sir Henry Morgan has often told me be true, that this Logwood River was in the Possession of the English at the time of the Treaties being sign'd at Madrid concerning the West-Indies. The Ships lie Eight Leagues from the cutting place, and the Wood is carried to them by Long-Boats and Sloops.

I was told that the Pearl-Fishing of the Spaniards at Margarita was sail'd, but that there was a fishing at Rio de la Hacha not far of. The Indians Dive and bring up the Pearl-Oisters, they dare not take any Rake or Iron to Drudge them up, for fear of destroying the young breed, under pain of High Treason; the biggest lies in deepest water, they Dive on the Banks in Nine Fathom water. The Indians String the firm part of the Oisters on Lines, and dry them against a Wall, and when they are dry and transparent, they are