_Anno 1614._ the eighth of _August_, the _East-India_ Company of the _United Netherlands_ set out seven Ships under the Command of _George Spilbergen_, who coming to _Cape St. Vincent_, and engaging with the _Portuguese_, took one of their Ships, and so proceeded on his Voyage to the _Straights_ of _Magellan_, but by a huge Storm, the Fleet was separated. Amongst those that were scatter’d was the good Ship call’d _Meruw_, in which some of the crew had conspir’d to have kill’d the Master, and seiz’d the Vessel; but he having some inkling thereof, set so stoutly upon two of the chief Contrivers with his drawn Hanger, that he forc’d them to leap over-board, and as stoutly ordering the rest, set all to rights. [Sidenote: Strange Corps.] But _Spilbergen_ Landing on one of the _Penguyn_ Islands, found two Dead Bodies just cover’d with Earth, about their Necks was a Chain of glistering Snail Shells neatly strung; the Grave stuck full of Bowes and Arrows, was pleasant to look upon, between several high Mountains, whose tops lay bury’d in Snow: The Fleet came out of the _Straights_ of _Magellan_, but not without great danger, for the South-Sea much disturb’d by tempestuous Weather, seem’d to raise its Waves up to the Sky, so that they had enough to do, from being ingag’d among the Rocks: But at last with great difficulty, wonderfully escaping all danger, they Anchor’d before _La Mocha_, an Island which on the North side lies low, and on the South defended by Rocks. [Sidenote: _Spilbergen_ in great danger.] [Sidenote: Strange sheep.] _Spilbergen_ seeing abundance of Men standing on the Shore, Row’d thither to Barter for Merchandize, amongst them was a Sheep with a long Neck, bunch-Back’d like a Camel, a little Mouth, and long Legs; which Beast serves them in stead of Horses, to carry their burthens, and perform their Tillage. The _Americans_ breed up these Sheep every where, by reason of the extraordinary benefit they receive from them, some of them keeping no less than eighteen hundred. Their Shepherds ride upon a Beast almost like an Ox, and carry in their hands Copper-plates, hung round about with Bells, which they shake, making a different noise when their Sheep shall go in or out; and on their Heads wear Feathers like Coronets, standing upright. [Sidenote: St. _Maries_ burnt.] [Sidenote: And also _Val Parysa_.] From thence, _Spilbergen_ departing, Landed at last on the Island of _St. Mary_, where he burnt all the _Spanish_ Villages; as he did also in _Val Parysa_. After going ashore, in the Haven _Quintero_, he saw abundance of Wild Horses drinking out of a Rivulet, supply’d with fresh Water from an adjoyning steep Mountain; so soon as they espy’d Men, they instantly running away, were seen no more. [Sidenote: Bloody fight between the _Hollanders_ and _Spanish_ Fleet.]