way out of the water, which are said to be very destructive to the divers; for, when these return to the surface, unless they take great care, these fish wrap themselves round the divers, and hold them fast till drowned.  To guard against this, the divers always carry a sharp-pointed knife, and on seeing any of these fish above them, present the point over their heads, and stick it into the fish’s belly.  They are also subject to great danger from alligators, which swarm in this part of the sea; and some of us fancied we saw one swimming below the surface near Mariato Point, only a few leagues from hence.  This island has a great variety of birds, also great numbers of black monkeys and guanoes, which last mostly frequent the streams of fresh water.  Some of these guanoes are of extraordinary size, being of a grey colour with black streaks, those about the head being brown.  Quibo is a most convenient place for procuring wood and water, as the wood grows in abundance within twenty yards of the sea, and there are several streams of fresh water crossing the beach.

[Footnote 276:  This is a material error.  Panama is in lat. 9 deg.  N. long. 80 deg. 21’ W. while the centre of Quibo is in lat. 7 deg. 28’ N. and long. 82 deg. 17’ W. from Greenwich.—­E.]

Having got clear of this place, and nothing thought of but our speedy return to Europe by surrendering at Panama, we met with strong adverse currents, together with calms and contrary winds, by which we were detained for several days under the mountains of Guanachu. [277] On the 15th.  May, a small bark bore down upon us, mistaking us for Spaniards.  She was called the Holy Sacrament, and came last from Cheriqui, laden with dried beef, pork; and live hogs.  Her master was much surprised at first, but soon recovered on being told we were bound for Panama, and readily offered to pilot us thither, as he was bound for that port; and begged us to take his bark in tow, as he could not fetch the land, and his hogs were almost dead for want of water, while his vessel was ready to sink, being so leaky that his people were no longer able to stand to the pumps.  I took her in tow, sending some of my people to assist in pumping the bark, and even spared some water and maize for supplying the hogs.  The master came on board of my ship, but had heard no news of any peace or truce between Britain and Spain.

[Footnote 277:  Perhaps the Sierra de Canataqua are here meant, which pervade the country between Montijo Bay and the Bay of Panama, ending in Point Mariato, of which they seem to have been detained.—­E.]