The Spanish sergeant, from whom we received the account of the island,
having informed us that there were some Indians on shore under his
command employed in jerking beef, and that there was a bark at anchor to
take it on board, we were desirous, if possible, to prevent the Indians
from escaping, who doubtless would have given the Governor of Guam
intelligence of our arrival, and we therefore immediately despatched the
pinnace to secure the bark, which the sergeant told us was the only
embarkation on the place. And then, about eight in the evening, we let go
our anchor in twenty-two fathoms.
CHAPTER 27.
LANDING THE SICK. CENTURION DRIVEN TO SEA.
When we had furled our sails, the remaining part of the night was allowed
to our people for their repose, to recover them from the fatigue they had
undergone, and in the morning a party was sent on shore well armed, of
which I myself was one, to make ourselves masters of the landing-place,
as we were not certain what opposition might be made by the Indians on
the island. We landed without difficulty, for the Indians having
perceived by our seizure of the bark the night before, that we were
enemies, they immediately fled into the woody parts of the island. We
found on shore many huts which they had inhabited, and which saved us
both the time and trouble of erecting tents. One of these huts, which the
Indians made use of for a storehouse, was very large, being twenty yards
long and fifteen broad; this we immediately cleared of some bales of
jerked beef which we found in it, and converted it into an hospital for
our sick, who, as soon as the place was ready to receive them, were
brought on shore, being in all one hundred and twenty-eight.
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