Surprising adventures of John Roach

by John Roach

THE

Surprising Adventures

OF

JOHN ROACH,

MARINER OF WHITEHAVEN.

 

 

STIRLING

PRINTED BY C. RANDALL,
1810

ADVENTURES

OF

JOHN ROACH, MARINER.

 

---

 

I was born in Whitehaven, in the county of Cumberland in the year 1748 of honest but not wealthy parents. At the age of eleven years, being inclined to a sea-faring life, I was bound an apprentice, for six years, to the Leviathan commanded by John Steele of Workington. I sailed in her successfully for about three years, during which time we sailed chiefly between Whitehaven and Dublin in the coal trade: but on the night of the 24th of December 1762, being on our passage to Dublin we were attacked by a violent storm of wind and snow which seemed to threaten us all with immediate death: for our ship soon became so leaky, that we found it impossible for us to keep her long above water; and the night being very dark, we were unable to discover what part of the channel we were in or what course to steer for safety. However, as the ship was sinking, we put out the boat, and all hands got into her, wishing to preserve life as long as possible; tho’ we had little idea of anything but being speedily swallowed up in the tempestuous abyss.  But the kindness of Divine Providence greatly exceeded our expectations; for we had only been about an hour and a half in the boat, when we arrived late in Dundalk-bay in Ireland; where we were kindly treated and from whence we presently obtained a passage to Whitehaven.

After this disaster I was bound to serve the remainder of my intended apprenticeship, to the Heart of Oak, of Workington, Captain Fawkin. During this latter part of my servitude we traded from Workington to Dublin and Cork, with coals.  At the expiration thereof, being weary of trading constantly to those places and anxious to flee various parts of the world, I shipped myself for Petersburg, in the Hawk of Workington, commanded by Michael Fawkin, brother to my late Captain. We completed this voyage in about four months: After which I returned to the coal trade, and continued therein about half a year.  I then sailed form Workington in the Pearl, Captain Fisher, for Norway, and returned in her to the same place after a pleasant voyage of three months.

Tho’ my mind was still anxious for foreign scenes, I now again entered into the coal-trade; but after pursuing the same a few months, I engaged myself to go with a sloop belonging to France, bound first to Waterford and from thence to Dunkirk.  I accordingly sailed in her, but we had not been long at sea before we were attacked by a violent storm of wind from the westward, which rendered it expedient to run, for safety, to any convenient port we could come at.  We accordingly made for Bolbrigen in Ireland; but on entering the port, our vessel was unfortunately driven on shore, and greatly damaged; but the crew were happily saved.

After this misfortune I proceeded by land to Dublin, and being yet determined to gratify the anxious desire I had for foreign scenes, I immediately shipped myself for Jamaica on board the Earl of Chatham, of London, Captain Arthur. In seven weeks we arrived safe at the place of our destination. Here we discharged a cargo of provisions which consisted chiefly of sugar rum; and then sailed for London where we arrived after a severe passage of nine weeks.

Soon alter my arrival, I was engaged by Captain Tobias Collins, of Whitehaven, to return home with him, in the Columbine, a new vessel which he had lately purchased in London.  We went first to Dublin; and there discharged a cargo of iron, which we had brought from London, and then proceeded to Whitehaven, where we arrived alter a pleasant passage of twenty four hours.

I now once more re-entered into the coal-trade at Workington; but after remaining in the same about six months, I became entirely weary thereof, and determined again to visit some foreign parts. Being at that time in Cork, and not meeting there with a vessel to my satisfaction, I took an adventrous passage to Bristol, in a coasting brig, and arrived safe at the desired place on the 4th of July 1769. I now shipped myself on board the Jane of Bristol, Captain Clarke, for the slave trade, on the Coast of Guinea.  We soon reached the desired coast and there took in 500 slaves with whom we proceeded to Jamaica, where we arrived in December following.

Here I left her, and entered on board a sloop, commanded by Creole, named Peter Richardson to go to Ratan for turtles.  We accordingly sailed from Montego-bay in January 1770, and in five days arrived at the place of our destination; where in the face of a month we caught above ninety turtles; after which we sailed again for Jamaica.  But after being a few days at Sea, having little wind, and a very strong current, we were driven through the gulph of Florida, and obliged to cast anchor in the river Mississipi. Here we remained about five days; we then stood out to sea again, and in twelve days arrived safe in Montego-bay. After this I sailed to the bay of Honduras, for logwood and mahogany, in the brigantine Nancy, Captain Ferguson—We completed this voyage, and arrived again in Jamaica in March 1770.

I was then engaged by Captain Woodhouse, of the sloop Betsey, to go with him (as he then informed me) to the bay of Honduras. On the 26th of March we sailed from Jamaica, fully persuaded that the bay of Honduras was our destined place; but were soon informed of our Captain’s intention of going to the Isthmus of Darien, for mules and horned cattle.  Accordingly on or about the 10th of April, we anchored a little on to the westward of Nombre de Dios, and our Captain dispatched a negro on shore, who could speak the spanish tongue, as a messenger to inform the inhabitants that he wanted a few mules and horned cattle, for which he would return them sundry goods, which he had brought for that purpose, viz. linens, hardware, and cutlery ware.

As soon as the inhabitants received this intelligence, they brought to the shore about thirty mules, and forty head of horned cattle, which we took on board; and the Spaniards came on board to receive in exchange such goods as they made choice of: But before any of their articles were landed, our Captain ordered us to seize the Spaniards by force of arms, and put them on shore; which we accordingly did, and immediately weighed anchor, leaving these poor injured people to bewail their loss and disappointment, and curse the English traders for this perfidious injury done them.  Such illicit practices have caused many persons to suffer in those parts, who might themselves be very honestly inclined, and who might have made great profit by dealing with these people in an honest way; for the natives having acquired experience by the injuries done them, will not trust an Englishman upon an account; which is a great hinderance to the individuals and just trader.—However our treacherous commander regarded not the welfare of those who might come after him, but greatly exulted in his noble atchievement, and the gains which he had made.

After leaving Nombre de Dios, we stood about fifty leagues to the westward; but being in great want of fuel, we anchored in a large bay by the mouth of a river, in order to procure some.—I was immediately ordered on shore, with five negroes with hatchets and other implements, to cut fire-wood. We accordingly landed, but we had not advanced from the water side, till I was greatly surprized on beholding all the negroes suddenly take to their heels, and haste towards the boat; and alas! my surprize was turned into the greatest confusion, when on looking around, to see the cause of their flight, I perceived a party of haggard Indians hasting towards me. I was too near them to effect a retreat; for had I attempted it, I perceived that a shower of fatal arrows would probably have sealed my instant doom.  They consequently seized me, and immediately stript me of all my apparel, reducing me, in a sew seconds, to perfect nakedness,

They did not shew the least desire of preserving my clothes, but furiously tore them in pieces and threw them away in great contempt and decision without examining them in the least, or discovering any signs of curiosity. But as soon as I was completely unrigged, they formed a circle, and placing me in the midst of them examined my skin, one by one, and seemed greatly surprised at its colour.  After this they compared the different parts of my body with their own, till they had fully satisfied their curiosity. They then hurried me along with them into the adjacent forest, and there loaded me with game of several kinds; with which I was obliged to travel until evening, though almost ready to faint with hunger, thirst and fatigue.

When evening approached the commander, or chief of this savage tribe, gave orders to halt under the shade of some large trees. They then made me gather fuel to make a fire, clean the game and prepare it for barbicuing; after which they struck a light made a large fire, constructed a barbicue above it and laid thereon the animals they had taken. The surrounding crew now seemed anxiously impatient for the enjoyment of what was preparing for them; nay, so keen were their appetites, that they ravenously tore the meat from the fire before it was well warmed and fell to with most veracious stomachs devouring an amazing quantity: but they would not allow me to taste till they had fully satisfied their craving appetites.

After their repast they proceeded to many ludicrous and laughable diversions.  The first class of these consisted of wanton gestures, leaping springing, tumbling, and laughing, so that I could clearly see the roof of their mouths, and root of their tongues; after which they turn their frightful eyes in a very quick motion, innumerable ways extended and contracted their savage visages into various shapes and figures, making such grins and grimaces, as gave them a most horrible appearance; they then concluded their most ridiculous merriment with screening screaming and shouting, in a manner truly hideous, Their chief ordered me to imitate their ludicrous gestures which I accordingly attempted, but I was unable to perform any thing to his satisfaction. These diversions being concluded, the whole tribe lay down around the fire to sleep.

Words are greatly insufficient to convey a just idea of my unhappy condition at this critical juncture.  Being entirely diverted of all Christian society, and surrounded in the silent hours of midnight, by a company of frightful savages, the very thoughts of which struck terror to my trembling heart; I was nearly reduced to the deplorable fate of putting a period to my own existence: but the God who made me, miraculously prevented me from the perpetration of such a horrid crime.  I was mercifully led to a serious consideration of the never dying essence with which I was invested; that I was not only composed of a mortal body, but also of an immortal soul, which must exist, either in happiness or woe, to all eternity, and which I feared such a voluntary act of suicide would have doomed me to the latter dreadful state.  I therefore most earnestly implored the Almighty for my preservation and deliverance; and had the soothing consolation of being assured, that my omnipotent Creator would yet most graciously preserve me: and that I should, in his due time, find a convenient opportunity to effect my escape. But this I could not at present attempt with any probability of success; for the whole country around us was one continued and almost impenetrable forest, which seemed to render it, at the time totally impracticable.

Various ideas of my uncertain fate, kept me awake till dawn of day; at which time our chief (for so I must now style him) called us from our tufty beds.  I now found that my chief occupation must be to attend the roving steps of this miscreant crew and bear upon my naked back the unfortunate victims of their arrows.  Thus burdened, they frequently made me travel till I was ready to faint under the pressure of my enormous load, and if at any time I accidently stumbled or fell, one or other of them, beat me most unmercifully with their bows, till I arose again; which usage together with the wounds I received from the prickles and briars (which penetrated very deep into my flesh in passing through the forest) rendered my case truly deplorable.

My ill treatment, change of diet, and constant exposure to the inclemency of the weather, which at that time was very rainy and tempestous soon threw me into a violent flux; which continued till I was nearly reduced to mere skeleton and seemed to be hastening to my eternal home.  For though our chief was very skilful in medicine, and ever ready to act as a physician amongst his tribe; yet he seemed to take no notice of my wretched condition, till he perceived that a few days would probably have terminated my existence, inclining to preserve my life, that I might be of further service to the tribe, he then administered to me the powder of plantain, which had such an healing virtue, that it restored me to perfect health in a very short time.

These Indians are called the Woolaways, or flat-headed tribe.  They consist of about fifty effective men, besides twice that number of women and children.  They have no settled place of residence but daily wander about the extensive forest in which they reside. Killing the different kinds of creatures that it produces, for their sustenance. Yet they seem generally to confine their roving feet within the space of five or six days travel; which appears by their frequently returning to a few certain places which have become fear to them, either by affording good water, convenient sleeping places, or the like.  But they dare not build themselves habitations, or confine themselves to any particular abode, lest their enemies should obtain knowledge of it, and invade them therein: for they dread the approach of the Spaniards from the interior parts of the country and are much more terrified by the invasions of the musquito men, from the sea coast; for though the forest lies to the southward of the river of Nicaragua, yet the Musquito men, notwithstanding their great distance northward, frequently land from fleets of large canoes, and proceed up it, in quest of its wandering inhabitants: and these adventurers go so well armed, and in such great numbers, that the Indian archers dare by no means face them.  During my captivity I never saw any of these invaders; yet the poor savages lived in such continual fear, that if the wind or any wandering beast, made the smallest disturbance amongst the trees of the forest in the night season, the whole tribe instantly arose, and probably travelled all night, to avoid the supposed enemy; unless they luckily discovered the real cause of their fear.

The extent of the forest is to me entirely unknown.  Several large rivers have their course through it.  It also abounds with a variety of animals, and sundry kinds of fruits: but animal food is almost the sole diet of the Indians,  It is nearly one continued cluster of towering trees: amongst which are mahogany, walnut ebony, cedar, lignum-vitae, cotton aud many other valuable production.  The shade of these often afforded us an agreeable asylum from the scorching rays or the sun and would have rendered the place exceedingly delightful, had it not been for the great quantity of nnderwood, which in many parts seemed almost impenetrable, and caused us to travel with great difficulty and pain.

Whilst I remained amongst these people, my escape chiefly employed my thoughts day and night; and I determined not to lose any favourable opportunity that might occur for affecting the same.  To this end I arose several times, at night, when I judged the surrounding crew were securely asleep but amongst such a numerous company, there was scarcely ever an interval when none were awake; so that when I arose, some or other of them started up and prevented my flight.  However, I always took care to proceed very unconcernedly, till I found whether I was perceived or not; and consequently on being descried, I had an opportunity of pleading that it was unavoidable private business which caused me to write.  By these means I happily escaped the rigorous punishment which would certainly have been inflicted upon me, had my enemies been really assured that defection was my intent; but yet, after I had been thus detected four or five times, the Savages grew more watchful over me, and used me with still greater barbarity; so that at length even the women women themselves frequently punched me with their feet, or beat me with any thing they had in their hands.

This ill treatment, however, did but increase my resolution of deserting: and I had still the happiness to believe that my God would ere long impart his gracious aid for my deliverance. Accordingly on a certain day in the tenth month of my captivity, being in quest of game, as usual we had uncommon success; and returning to a place much frequented by the tribe, on account of a spring which yielded excellent water, we had taken; and the poor Indians highly exulting in their good fortune, greatly overgorged themselves; after which a large quantity of plaintain liquor was prepared and every one of them took a hearty drink thereof, which greatly intoxicated the whole tribe both men and women.  Our chief now ordered us all to sleep round the fire. I cannot say but that on this day they used me with greater decency than usual. However, this transient civility seemed greatly insufficient to counterbalance the inhuman treatment I daily experienced amongst them; therefore imagining I had now a favorable opportunity to effect my peaceable escape, I determined to weigh anchor, and endeavour to explore some happier clime.—Accordingly as soon as I judged the inebriated crew were pretty secure in the peaceful bands of sleep, I then softly arose, walked gently from amongst them, and being greatly favoured by the enlightening rays of the full orbed moon, I was soon at a considerable distance.

I now lived upon such fruits as I sound in the woods and travelled with all my might, in such a direction as I hoped would lead me to the shore, from which I judged I could not be far distant: but a few days incessant and unsuccessful travel convinced me that I had steered a wrong course, and knew not how to proceed. For two days I had the good fortune to pursue my journey in peace, without falling in with any kind of enemies. However, on the afternoon of the third day, I heard a great disturbance amongst the trees, and was greatly alarmed on hearing the well known whistling of an adanty.  I instantly made up to a lofty tree, which was luckily near me, and began to ascend it for safety: but before I was many feet above ground, the wandering enemy approached the tree and was very near catching me by the heels.  However, being a little above its reach I soon got to such a height that it could by no means come near me, and secured myself amongst the boughs of the tree. Notwithstanding my elevated situation, the enraged beast seemed very unwilling to quit me. It furiously tore up the underwood and small trees that were around me for a considerable distance rooted up a considerable quantity of earth about the tree I was upon; ran madly round the tree, and made several attempts to ascend it.  When it perceived that these efforts failed, it endeavoured to entice me from the tree by whistling; and in these different excercises continuen during the remainder of that day and all the following night.  When morning arrived being weary of its fruitless labour and probably pretty hungry, after casting me a few anxious looks, it departed, and I saw it no more: yet it was near mid-day before I durst venture from the tree of refuge, lest the enemy should be lying in ambush for me.

After travelling a few hours, I perceived a beautiful galloway tied to a tree a little distance from me; and greatly rejoiced at at this unexpected sight: for I thought I could now travel with ease, and also with additional speed. I instantly made up to the lonely stranger, loosed him, and mounted upon his back. He soon convinced me not only of his swiftness, but also of his knowledge of the forest; for he seemed to know every track and opening amongst the trees as perfectly as if he had spent his whole life in the observation thereof.  Yet I had not been long upon him till I would gladly have dismounted. my raked body having suffered greatly from his furious speed.  However I was unable to stop him, and I could not throw myself off, duringing his present haste, without imminent danger: I therefore judged it most adviseable to continue upon him, till his weariness. or som other favorable accident might cause him to relax his speed But he continued his incessant course till I perceived he had been hasting towards his home for in a few hours we arrived in a spacious harbour, formed by a circular row of towering trees On entering this place, I perceived a large fire, on which were roasting a great number of animals: beside it there was also a numerous company of Indians who  instantly flocked round me Being adorned with paint and polpro, like themselves, I dismounted my steed, without hesitation determining to resign myself to such ensuing fate as Providence might allot me; and I had the happiness to be received as aggreeably as I could have expected.

Before I left the Woolaways, I had got a tolerable hold of their language; but it was here of no service, for the language of this tribe was entirely different: yet I soon learned, that the little horse that had brought me amongst them, belonged to their Chief, who, with a few others of the tribe were seeking him in the forest at the time of our arrival.  They presently arrived here also. On seeing his hofse, the Chief was transported with joy, ran to the beast. and expressed his rapture by clapping and kissing him for a considerable time, without asking any questions, or making the least enquiry who had brought him thither; however, of this he was immediately conducted into his dread presence. As soon as he beheld me he drew a knife of large magnitude, changed his countenance, and assumed an aspect replete with terror to my trembling heart.  He then for some time looked at his horse and at me alternately, with the greatest earnestness imaginable.  I now judged my dying moment was most certainly arrived however, the august tyrant did not proceed in that assassinous manner I expected but rather seemed as though he wished the whole fraternity to participate the pleasure of putting an end to my miserable existence: for he ordered me to be placed in the centre of the whole tribe, and there tied up to a flake, that they might have the savage satisfaction of exercising their arrows in my miserable execution.

I was accordingly fixed to the stake and the ferocious beings gathered around me, seemingly big with impatience to execute the infernal sentence.  Here it is much easier for the sympathetic reader to picture to himself the slate of my mental powers, than for me to give him any just description thereof  I must however observe, that after a transient circle of wild thoughts and fearful imagination, my terrified mind began to resume its wonted calm: and seeing my last terrestrial moment seemed hastily approaching, I humbly resigned myself to the mercy of that celestial Being before whom I now judged I must shortly appear.  But as soon as the savage crew were drawn up in order, and had prepared themselves for the enjoyment of their destructive pleasure, a venerable old man, who was their physician stood up, and harangued to them for a considerable time.  His exhortation proved a heavenly one to me and I soon experienced its saving virtue, for it was no sooner concluded, than the ferocity of all the surrounding countenances was entirely dispelled a pleasing composure assumed its place, and I was happily set at liberty The most refined sensibility of my gentle readers, cannot inspire them with a just sense of that divine consolation which overflowed my enraptured soul, on being thus happily delivered from the voracious jaws of death.  The extatic joy which now possessed my mind, enabled me chearfully to resign myself to the will of the Omnipotent Creator, who I now perceived had been my kind Deliverer: I consequently sentenced to black oblivion all my past sufferings, and determined calmly to submit to such future fate as might befal me.

On being taken down from the stake, I repaired with the rest of the company to the fire, and shared in eating the animals that were thereon; after which we lay down around the fire to sleep. Next morning, as the tribe were preparing for the chase, I was filled with secret anxiety to see what must be my station amongst them; and was very agreeably surprised on being directed to walk along with the archers, without either a bow or burden of any kind: for they yet knew not but that I was really an Indian and had strayed from my companions But alas! these happy times were not of long duration; for on the third or fourth day after their commencement, the sweat of my body happening as it frequently did, to wash some of the paint off me, one of the company perceived the natural colour of my skin, and immediately running up to me examined me more minutely, and then called on his companions, to acquaint them with his discovery.  The whole tribe were instantly in an uproar; every individual would examine for themselves the traits of native fairness that were discovered in me: and there was such a chattering amongst them as I had never before heard since I entered the forest.  When their surprise was over and their curiosity satisfied, they placed me amongst the rear company, and loaded me with dead animals, so that my fate was so familiar to what it had been amongst the other tribe  This tribe are called Buckeraws, they are well shaped, and very robust, yet exceedingly light and active

About the tenth month of my captivity, whilst the rest of the company were securely laid around their nocturnal fire, I quietly mounted our Chief’s little nag, and finding a pretty clear tract through the forest, rode near a hundred miles before ever I drew bridle, except to divide a little flesh which I had taken with me, to supply us during our journey; and after a long and tedious journey of several days, I arrived within the Spanish territories, where I was apprehended by the Governor as a spy, and condemned to be imprisoneduntil further orders.  I was then conducted through fifty different towns: the governor of each allotting me a fresh guard, to convey me through their repetitive districts to the place of my confinement; every guard also renewed my setters, so that in one day I had frequently half a dozen different pairs of irons upon me.

At length we arrived at my destined place, the town of Guatimala or rather of Larmeta: for Guatimala formerly the capital of the province, and the residence of the Spanish president or governor of the southern province of New Spain, had lately been destroyed by an earthquake, and its inhabitants had begun to build themselves habitations at a convenient place; a few miles distant from it, which they called Larmeta.  On our arrival here my guards conducted me to the entrance of a subterraneous dungeon, and there ordered me to dismount my steed.  This being done, a ponderous door was opened, which presented to my view a gloomy passage under ground, into which we immediately entered and the door was firmly secured again.  Being now enlightened by candles, we walked a few yards forward, by a gradual descent, and came to another door which was instantly thrown open till we passed it; after which it was again secured  In this manner we passed four stupendous doors; after which we arrived upon level ground, in a large subterraneous dungeon, the dismal habitation of murderers, traitors, robbers, thieves, and other malefactors; along with whom I was now obliged to take my abode The number of my sequestered companions, I cannot possibly determine, for this place was a receptacle for the criminals of all the southern provinces of New Spain so that its ill fated inhabitants were very numerous.

Before I had been here three weeks, I was thrice taken out of my irksome den, and conducted by a strong guard of soldiers to the abode of the President, by whom I was more punctiliously examined than I had been by any of my former judges I now related my unfortunate adventures in the most affecting style I was master of, indulging a feeble hope of obtaining my liberty: but alas! at the close of my third examination, the magisterial President told me, that all I had said in my defence availed very little: I had no lawful business upon their coasts; and therefore must be recommitted to the dungeon and there remain till he should write to the court of Old Spain, and received answer, to direct his further proceedings concerning me.

I was now in the most lamentable situation I had ever been in since the commencement of my misfortunes  Mine eyes scarcely ever beheld any thing but one common scene of awful darkness; and my ears were seldom saluted by any thing but the rattling of adamantine chains, or the oaths and blasphemies of the despairing wretches who were here secured in heavy irons, and condemned either to make a speedy and painful transition into eternity or to spend here the remainder of their dreary lives, without ever more beholding the chearing light of day  Like the other prisoners I had also strong manacles upon my hands, heavy irons upon my legs, and chains about my neck and waist, and had likewise my feet secured in the stocks through the night; and to complete my wretchedness the provisions that were given us scarcely sustained our life—But happily my grievances were in a short time redressed; I soon perceived the indulgent Providence which had before led me thro' numberless dangers and difficulties, seemed yet to stretch forth a kind band towards me.

A short time after my examination before the obdurate president a beautiful female was conducted into the dungeon; and being directed to me, she with a look of sympathy and kindness, desired to hear the particulars of my adventures. I cheerfully complied with the kind request by giving her a detail of the most remarkable vicissitudes of my checkered fortune.  Her sympathetic heart seemed to be greatly affected by my former as well as present sufferings.  She informed me, that, having descended from English parents, she entertained a great affection for those whom she esteemed her countrymen; and consequently being moved with compassion on beholding me as I was carried, in my fetters, to the Governor, and and hearing that I was an injured Englishman, she had determined to visit my dismal habitation. Being a lady of high rank, and opulent circumstances, she soon prevailed on the Governor to free me from a great part of my setters; and, during the remainder of my long confinement, supplied me plentifully with candles to light my irksome habitation, and likewise sent me, from her own table a comfortable repast of chocolate twice a day together with a sumptous dinner and supper; so that my fare was now excellent, and I had little to discompose me, but the wretched crew with whom I was doomed to inhabit.

After remaining three years in the subterraneous den, without ever beholding a glimpse of light, except when carried before the Governor, I was conveyed prisoner to the Havannah; where I was soon released by an exchange of prisoners: and being put on board of a carrel ship, in a few weeks I was safely landed on my native shore.