The greatest feare that I perceived possessed the _Spaniards_ in this Voyage, was about the Island of _Providence_, called by them _Sta Catalina_, or St. _Catharine_, from whence they feared lest some _English_ Ships should come out against them with great strength. They cursed the _English_ in it, and called the Island, the den of theeves and Pirates, wishing that their King of _Spain_ would take some course with it; or else, that it would prove very prejudiciall to the _Spaniards_, lying neer the mouth of the _Desaguadero_, and so endangering the Frigats of _Granada_, and standing between _Portobel_ and _Carthagena_, and so threatning the Galeons, and their Kings yeerely and mighty treasure.
Thus with bitter invectives against the _English_ and the Island of _Providence_ we sayled on to _Carthagena_, where againe wee met with the foure Ships, which before had followed us and had taken away two of our Ships, and now at our entering into that Port, threatned to carry away more of our company; which they might have done, if they would have ventured to have come upon the Ship wherein I went, which at the turning about the land point to get into the Haven, ran upon the shore, which if it had been rocky, as it was sandy and gravelly, had certainly there beene cast away by keeping too neere unto the land, from which danger by the care of the Mariners, and their active paines we were safely delivered, as also from the ships which followed us as far as they durst for fear of the Cannon shot of the Castle; and thus we entered into the Haven of _Carthagena_, and stayed there for the space of eight or ten dayes; where I met with some of my Country men their Prisoners, who had been taken at Sea by the _Spaniards_, and belonged unto the Island of _Providence_; among whom was the Renowned Captaine _Rouse_, and about a dozen more, with whom I was glad to meet, but durst not shew them too much countenance, for feare of being suspected; yet I soon got the good will of some of them, who, being destined to _Spain_, were very desirous to goe in the ship, wherein I went; which desire of theirs I furthered, and was suiter unto my Captaine to carry foure of them in his ship, which for my sake he willingly yeelded unto; amongst these was one _Edward Layfield_, (who afterwards setting out of St. _Lucar_ for _England_, was taken Captive by the _Turkes_, and since from _Turkey_ writ into _England_ unto mee to helpe to release him) with whom both at _Carthagena_, and in the way in the ship I had great discourse concerning points of Religion, and by him came to know some things professed in _England_, which my conscience (whilst I lived in _America_) much inclined unto. I was much taken with his company, and found him very officious unto mee, whose kindnesse I requited by speaking for him in the ship to the Masters and Mariners, who otherwise were ready and forward to abuse him and the rest of the _English_ company as prisoners and slaves.