In their lawless way they robbed the Indians of their provisions and of anything else that they needed.

As Mendez had done, they waited at the eastern extremity of Jamaica for calm weather.

They knew they could not manage the canoes, and they had several Indians to help them.
When the sea was smooth they started; but they had hardly gone four leagues from the land, when the waves began to rise under a contrary wind.

Immediately they turned for shore, the canoes were overfreighted, and as the sea rose, frequently shipped water.
The frightened Spaniards threw overboard everything they could spare, retaining their arms only, and a part of their provisions.

They even compelled the Indians to leap into the sea to lighten the boats, but, though they were skillful swimmers, they could not pretend to make land by swimming.