Page:The principal navigations, voyages, traffiques and discoveries of the English nation 16.djvu/270

 was at the same time inhabited by Spaniards, there beganne a trade from thence to Panama: but from Panama by sea to the coast of Peru they could not trade in a long time, because of the Southerly winds blowing on this coast almost all the yeere long, which are a hinderance to shippes sayling that way: and by land the passage was impossible, in regard of mountaines and riuers: yea it was fifteene yeeres before they passed the Island of Pearles, which is but twentie leagues from Panama. There were at this time in Panama two men, the one called Francisco Piçarro borne in the citie of Truxillo in Spaine, a valiant man, but withall poore: the other called Diego de Almagro was very rich. These men got a company vnto them, and prouided two Carauels to discouer the coast of Peru: and hauing obtained licence of the gouernour of that place, Francisco Piçarro set foorth with the two foresayd carauels and 100 men, and Diego de Almagro stayed in Panama to send him victuals and other necessaries. Now Francisco Piçarro sayling along the coast met with much contrary winds and raine, which put him to great trouble; and he began also after a while to lacke victuals, for hee was sailing of that in eight moneths which they now passe in fifteene dayes, and not knowing the right course hee ranne into euery riuer and bay that hee saw along the coast; which was the chiefe cause that hee stayed so long on his voyage: also thirtie of his company dyed by reason of the vnhealthfulnesse of the coast.

At last hee came to an Island called by him Isla del Gallo, being situate from the maine land sixe leagues. From hence he sent one of his ships to Panama for a new supply of victuals and of men: which ship being departed, 40 of his men that remained behind made a mutiny, and passed vp into the countrey, meaning to returne by land to Panama, but in the way they all perished, for they were neuer heard of vntill this day. So that Francisco Piçarro was left vpon the said Island onely with thirteene men: who although he had his ship there in which he might haue returned, yet would he rather die then goe backe; and his 13 men also were of his opinion, notwithstanding that they had no other victuals, but such as they had from the maine land in the night season. Thus he continued nine moneths, before any succour was brought him from Panama: but in the end his ship returned with 40 men onely and victuals: whereupon hee prosecuted his voyage till he came to the first plaine countrey of Peru called Tumbez, where he