Before ten of the clock we got to _Venta de Cruzes_, where live none but _Mulatto's_ and _Black-mores_, who belong unto the flat boates that carry the merchandize to _Portobel_. There I had very good entertainment by that people, who desired me to preach unto them the next Sabbath day, and gave me twenty Crownes for a Sermon, and procession. After five daies of my abode there, the boats set out, which were much stopped in their passage downe the river; for in some places we found the water very low, so that the boats ran upon the gravell; from whence with poles and the strength of the _Black-mores_ they were to be lifted off againe; sometimes again we met with such streams that carried us with the swiftnesse of an arrow downe under trees and boughes by the river side, which sometimes also stopped us till we had cut downe great branches of trees. Had not it pleased God to send us after the first weeke plentifull raine, which made the water run downe from the mountaines and fill the river (which otherwise of it selfe is very shallow) we might have had a tedious and longer passage; but after twelve daies we got to the sea, and at the point landed at the Castle to refresh our selves for halfe a day. Certainly the _Spaniards_ trust to the streames and shallownesse of that river, which they thinke will keep off any forain nation, from attempting to come up to _Venta de Cruzes_ and from thence to _Panama_, or else they would strengthen more and fortifie that Castle, which in my time wanted great reparations, and was ready to fall downe to the ground. The Governour of the Castle was a notable wine-bibber, who plyed us with that liquor the time that we stayed there, and wanting a Chaplain for himselfe, and Souldiers, would faine have had me stayed with him; but greater matters called me further, and so I tooke my leave of him, who gave us some dainties of fresh meat, fish, and conserves, and so dismissed us. We got out to the open sea, discovering first the _Escudo de Veragua_, and keeping somewhat close unto the land we went on rowing towards _Portobel_, till the evening which was Saturday night; then we cast anchor behind a little Island, resolving in the morning to enter in _Portobel_. The _Black-mores_ all that night kept watch for fear of _Hollanders_, whom they said did often lie in wait thereabouts for the boats of _Chiagre_; but we passed the night safely, and next morning got to _Portobelo_, whose haven we observed to be very strong with two Castles at the mouth and constant watch within them, and another called _St. Miguel_ further in the Port.