A New Voyage TO THE EASTINDIES IN THE Years 1690 and 1691.  
BEING A full Description of the Isles of Maldives, Cocos, Andamants, and the Isle of Ascention; and all the Forts and Garrisons now in possession of the French, with an Account of the Customs, Manners, and Habits of the Indians.  
By Monsieur Duquesne.  
To which is added, A New Description of the Canary Islands, Cape Verd, Senegal and Gambia, etc.  
Illustrated with Sculptures, together with a new Map of the Indies, and another of the Canaries. Done into English from the Paris Edition.  
LONDON, Printed for Daniel Dring at the Harrow and Crown near St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet, 1696.   

THE Author's Preface.  
IF I had taken the leisure to make a serious Reflection on the boldness of my design, I had not published this Account of my Voyages; the raw Age in which I made them, had been a sufficient reason to discourage me from it, besides the consideration of the polite Age we live in. For tho' I have followed Truth with the greatest severity, yet these Relations want perhaps those other Advantages that are apt to recommend things of this nature to the Reader, such as Air and Style in the writing of them, so much valued at present.  
Yet however devoid of these Ornaments, I shall venture to present them to the Public, after so ingenious an acknowledgement, in hopes the young Traveller will meet with a mild and easy censure of his first attempts, while he gives the Public a most exact account of the particulars of Monsieur Duquesne's Voyage and Undertake in the Indies, which has been so earnestly and impatiently expected; of his Engagements with the English and Dutch; with the Advantages he has gained of them; and his Conduct in bringing back a Squadron safe with which his Majesty entrusted him, through a Voyage of six Thousand Leagues, through Storms and Tempests, and all the rage and power of the Enemy.  
Perhaps the Reader will be pleased with the variety of the Subject with which I have furnished this Relation, which can't but render it the more agreeable and entertaining; as likewise with some Remarks curious enough, concerning the various Nations and Countries through which we passed, and the horrible Tempest that surprised us in our return in the Latitude of Mascarin. I have writ all in the natural order in which they fell out, with exactness and fidelity, obliging myself to omit nothing of moment, and to relate nothing of which I was not an Eye-witness: So after acquainting the Reader before hand with some Repetitions, which by a frequent recurring of the same things were unavoidable, I have nothing more to desire for his satisfaction, or my own advantage, but that the stile had been more polite and correct, there being nothing else wanting to complete his satisfaction.   


The Sea Coasts of Africa and the East Indies with the Islands thereof from the Canaries to Sumatra    

A RELATION OF A Voyage and Return FROM THE EASTINDIES.  

CHAP. I  
An Account of the Squadron designed by France to the East-Indies.  
THE Enemies of France having alarmed all Europe for her Destruction, expected their Projects would have equal success in these Parts of the World; that the Commerce she had established in the Indies, would follow the Revolution of Siam, and be entirely ruined, as being too much employed at home, in her own immediate Defence; to be able to send any Forces to those distant Parts of the World: But the GOD of Armies having defeated the Designs of so numerous and Confederated an Enemy, has so visibly extended his Holy protection to the sacred Person of his Majesty and his Dominions; that in spite of all their utmost Efforts, he has been the Agressor, and set on them first and their Factories in those Parts; a sufficient demonstration of the Glory and Strength of France. To this Enterprise the King appointed six Ships; which were the Bird, the Lion, the Dragon, the Jolly, the Prosperus, and the Rock; the Three first of which were fitted at Breast, the rest in the Magazines of the East, at Port Lewis, where the Squadron Rendezvous'd; which being joined the beginning of February, (90,) the Equipages were distributed in this manner.  
Monsieur Duquesne, whom the Court had made Commandant, pitched upon the Jolly, mounted with Forty four Guns, Two hundred and Fifty Men. He had Messieurs the Commander of Portere for Second Captain, D' Anberville for Lieutenant, the Voutron, Fauche, and Baron, for Ensigns, with Ten Guard-Marines.  
Monsieur le Chealier d' Aire Commanded the Bird, of 42 Guns and Two hundred Men; Messieurs de la Neufville was his Second Captain, De la Villauclers, and Demons, his Lieutenants.  
Monsieur Joyeuse went on Board the Prosperus of 44 Guns, and Two hundred and Thirty Men; he had Messieurs Granche, for Lieutenant, his Son and de la Perine for Ensigns.  
Monsieur Hortin took the Rock, of 38 Guns, and 200 Men; Messieurs le Chevalier de de Bouchetier, and le Vasseur were his Lieutenants.  
Monsieur de Chamoreau, Commanded the Lion, which is a Frigate of 24 Guns, and a 180 Men; he had no other Officers then Monsieur de Presac his Lieutenant; Two Capuchins went aboard him, who was bound for Surate.  
And Monsieur Quistly boarded the Dragon, which is another Frigate of 28 Guns, 280 Men; Monsieur de Chenelon was his Lieutenant. Two Companies of Foot with their Officeers, were over and above distributed a board these six Ships, and some Religious, which the Papist Priest Tachard carried to the Indies; they came aboard us with a Secretary, and Three Mandarins of the late King of Siam.   

CHAP. II.  
The Squadron Sails.  
THE Squadron thus Armed, had not been Ten Days before the Isle of Groge, when Orders came from Court to Sail immediately. So Friday the 24th of February (90,) Monsieur Duquesne coming aboard at Five in the Evening, weighed Anchor, after giving the parting Guns; we presently were under Sail, with the Wind at North, and a delicate Gale as could be wished, but it did not last long, coming about at Ten next Morning; so that we were obliged to put back again; but by the 27th we Sailed again, the Wind being more favourable than at first.  
We made such way, that we soon lost sight of Land, which we were not like to see again in a good while: The Wind contived so favourable, that by the Tenth of March we doubled Cape Fenester: The Sea is commonly Boisterous in this Latitude, and the passage dangerous, and there's no bearing much Sail here.  
The Sixth Day became remarkable, by an Accident that happened to us. The Gabier, who is one appointed to look to the Masts and Tackling, hanging on the Foremast Sailyard, unhapily fell into the Sea, which was then very boisterous; we did all we could to save him, threw out Ropes, hoist out the Boat, but all in vain, for the Storm was so violent, that he sunk presently.  
Great are the terrors of this Element, and there is nothing apt to make a Man serious, when he considers there is but a Plank between him and Eternity.   

CHAP. III.  
The first discovery of Land, since we lost sight of it, Remarks on the Pike of Teneriffe.  
WE Steered our Course for the Madera Islands, where with pleasure, we waited to take in some refreshments, tho' 'twas not above Nine Days that we had lost sight of Land. But the Currents which we met having carried us too far to the East, or rather to the great Fogs at Land, having hindered us from the sight of it; we left it to the Right, without perceiving it, till we had doubled it. The 9th we discovered the Isle of Savages, which was the first Land we made since we parted from Port-Lewis; 'tis situated in 30 Degrees of the Northern Latitude, and Twenty Minutes Longitude. This is an uninhabited Island, very dangerous for the Steep Craggy Rocks that environ it for above a League; that scarce a Boat can go a Shoar; by this sight of Land we judged we were not far from the Canary Islands, which doubtless we should have come to sight of, the next Morning, if we had not been delayed by a Calm, which happily lasted but a little while; for, in the Evening it began to blow a brisk Gale, so that by the Eleventh, at 7 a Clock in the Morning, we were within Thirteen Leagues of the Pike of Teneriffe.  
By Noon we were near it, being in Twenty Eight Degrees, Thirty Six Minutes, North Latitude, and Three Hundred and Fifty Nine Degrees of Longitude. The Pike of Teneriffe is seen Forty Leagues off, and undoubtedly may pass for one of the highest Mountains in the World. Some make it seven Leagues high, others Twelve. This proud Mountain wraps its head in the Clouds, which appears white, by reason of the Snow that covers it Winter and Summer, rising through the middle Region of the Air, which makes it so cold that none was ever able to mount it.  
Behind this Mountain stands the Town of Canary, of which the Island bears the Name; which is very Fruitful, and abounds in Corn, and is famous for the rich Wines it produces, which are carried to all Parts of the World. Three are besides Three other Islands; the first, that of Gomer, of the same side with the Pike, and not above Six or Seven Leagues distant. The second is Palm Island, memorable for the Death of Forty Jesuits, who going to Brazill, to Preach the Faith of Jesus Christ, were there Martyred by the Calvinists, about a Hundred Years ago. This latter is opposite to the Pike of Teneriffe, and is about Twelve or Thirteen Leagues distant. We passed between these two, having Palm Island on the Right, and the Pike of Teneriffe on the Left. And the last is the Isle of Fer, where Geographers commonly place the first Meridian. These four Islands belong to Spain, so that we could not take a view of them, but at a distance, by reason of the War between us and it.   

CHAP. IU.  
The different Opinions concerning the Trading Winds.  
THe Wind which had hardly stirred all day, began to blow fresh in the Evening, so that we could easily perceive the Trading Winds, which are so useful for Sailing; they are called so by reason of their continuing three or four months without changing. These sort of Winds Blow always from the North East in the Southern parts, and from the South East in the Northern parts, which very much perplexes curious people to find out the true reason of it. Some maintain, that the Trading Winds are no other than those which blow from the West, and the North with great violence, which passing over Europe to the East and South, rarify and grow weaker as they approach the warmer Climates; on the contrary, in the Southern parts, the Western and Southern Winds blowing with the same violence towards Africa, are thence driven towards the East and North, and abate by degrees as they approach the warmths of the Line, and quite cease when they reach it.  
Others explain this matter after a different manner; they will have it, that the excessive heats of the Line draw these Winds from the Poles, where the Exhalations and Vapours, which are the matter of the Winds, being stronger and in greater abundance cause more violent and lasting ones, and that afterwards these Winds or Exhalations are drawn towards the Zone, and there abated by the excessive heat.  
Behold the best Account I could meet with, to satisfy those who are curious in this matter; but whatever the Natural Cause of them may be, it may be truly said, they are the sweetest Winds that blow.   

CHAP. V.  
The Squadron Anchors at the Island of Saintiague.  
Hither we had reason to admire our happiness, and to hope we should soon arrive at Saintiague, where we were to stay some days; our only misery was a violent Fever which seized our men, and of which fifty lay dangerously ill, tho' we had been but three weeks at sea. 'Twas then the R. R. F. F. the Jesuits, found an opportunity to exercise their Zeal and Charity; they Confessed the sick, gave them Instructions for dying well, and assisted them with their own provisions: It must be said, that from the first day they came aboard us, they had such care, by their Holy Example, to promote a good life amongst the Officers and seamen, that far from following the loose way of others, they thought themselves obliged to behave themselves according to the utmost severity of the Christian Religion; they were willingly present at their Catechisms and Sermons on Sundays, and at Mass every morning, with prayers at the end for the King; in the evening we said our beads, and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, making an Examen of Conscience on our knees with an Act of Contriction.  
Great was the happiness and advantages we had from the company of these Religious persons, but chiefly the sick; one of the Mandarins named Pipit died the 7th. day of his distemper; the R. P. Fachard took particular care of him, never leaving him till he had administered extreme Unction, and the Holy Eucharist to him. Of these three Envoys of the King of Siam, he converted two to the Catholic Religion, Baptising them at Breast, and 'tis to be presumed that the third would soon have yielded too, to the Authority of his holy Life, as well as that of his Arguments.  
All the funeral Honours due to a person of Quality, were paid to this deceased Mandarin: Four Guard Marines held the corners of the Pall, and after the usual prayers on the occasion, threw him into the Sea, with five Guns, fired at a distance one from another, which made it more sad and Solemn; 'twas believed in the rest of the ships that 'twas an Ensign died, so to honour him, and to testify to their Admiral their concern for him, they struck their sails, and lay by, rolling in his way sadly, as if there were none to govern them; as soon as the ship passed by, they hoist their Sails again.  
The next night, which was the 15th, we passed the Tropic of Cancer, which our Pilots perceived next day by the computation they made, we had made vast way in a little time, being but sixteen days since we left France; the winds and seas seemed to conspire to prosper our Voyage, every thing succeeding to our wishes.  
The 17th. in the Evening Monsieur Duquesne made the Cape, of which he gave notice to the rest by the signal of a Gun, and two fires, one on the Round-top of the Mainmast, and the other on the Round-top of the Foremast, for fear we should run aground in the night, from which we could not be far, according to the Elevation taken at Noon: Next morning by break of day we perceived the Isle of May to the left, which we no sooner doubled, but we saw that of Saintiage, our Commandant perceiving no ships at anchor there, hoist a white Flag and an Admiral Flame on the top of the Mainmast, and coming near, he sent in the Rock to sound; there appeared at a great distance a Man on the top of a hill, who hoist a flag six several times, in all probability to give the Inhabitants notice of the number of our ships. Saturday the 18th. of March, at two in the afternoon, we anchored half a League from the shore.   

CHAP. VI  
A Description of the Isle and Town of Saintiague, Manners and Religion of the Inhabitants.  
THE Commandant Monsieur de Pouriere went a shore by Monsieur Duquesnes orders, to compliment the Governor, and to desire leave to take in fresh water, and to settle the ceremony of the Salute; who easily agreed to what was desired, and not only so, but promised we should be furnished with Beef and Mutton, tho' very scarce among themselves; but when it came to the ceremony of the Salute, this raw young Governor, who in all probality was ignorant of what was really our due, refused to answer Gun for Gun; but the Commandant provoked at it, told him; that the French expected other returns, and that seeing he stood so stiff upon't, they would not salute him at all: 'Twas then he perceived he mistook his men, and so presently agreed to five Guns each,  
He made a present of two dozen of sweet Oranges and some Chocolet to Monsieur de Pouriere, having neither wine nor sweetmeats tho' very common here; who after he had received them, went to give our Commandant an account of what past, and to acquaint him he had been informed by the Governor, that two Dutch and one English ship parted thence but three days before, bound for the East-Indies, and that they expected two more suddenly: We lay at anchor till Tuesday evening, without perceiving any, whence we pursued our Voyage, not a little troubled to miss 'em, for they could hardly escape falling into our hands: Being now late, we omitted the Salute till next morning, which was Palm-Sunday; when after our Almoner had said Mass, we saluted them with five Guns, and they returned the same number.  
Being curious to go a shore, I got leave of the Commandant, and so went in company with F. Tachard, and an Officer, who carried a small Present from Monsieur Duquesne to the Governor; at our landing, we saw some Negroes that were quite naked, excepting a rag about their wastes to cover their nakedness. There's a Chapel on the shore dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and a little further a Battery of four Iron Guns; we were forced to climb, till we came to a certain Bastion, on which were mounted six old Iron Guns, of which the biggest was a six pounder. This is the best fortified part of the Island, where the Portuguese keep a Garrison, but the Soldiers are fitter to be pitied than feared.  
F. Tachard asked them news of the Governor; they showed him a Church where he was, into which we entered, when he presently rose from his seat, and gave us a graceful salute, the Father after talking some time with him in Portuguese, went out; but I continued some time observing the Ceremonies, and other things; after blessing the Palm branches, a Negro Priest said Mass, assisted by a Deacon.  
They are more devout and solemn than we, but we were a little scandalised at the negress women half naked in the Church, who as they stared at us, so we could not but stare at them; as likewise at the governor's Guard, which was a wretched one; their Arms were a Pike and a Sword of an extraordinary length, with a pair of Beads about their necks.  
In the midst of them stood the little Governor, of about twenty year old; a Native of Lisbon, pretty tall, but meanly clad, and of a poor mien and air.  
This is a wretched Country, and fitter to starve than live in; they have their wine and bread from Lisbon, or from the Cunaries, the latter is 8 pence a pound, and the first half a Crown a Bottle, which holds no more than the Chopin of France; 'tis true the Negroes who are naturally soberf, use little wine, or even so much as bread; living for the most part of dry cake well pressed, which is made of the root of a tree called Macoc, the Juice of which is a subtle poison.  
They are all Soldiers or Slaves, and so given to robbery, that its hard to escape them, if they meet one in a by place, they are very fond of knives, ribbon, needles, but chiefly of Biscuit, for which they readily give Oranges, Goiaves, Bannanes, and several other fruits, they have large proportioned bodies, short friz hair, little beard, and whither hunting or walking, they still carry bows and arrows about 'em.  
No one will wonder at the sterility of the Country, when he is told it has not reigned there in four years' time; which has made the ground so parched and barren, that of 25000 inhabitants which it had, there died 6000 in two years' time of hunger, as one of their Priests told me, with whom I discoursed some time in Latin.  
The Clothing of the women is only a piece of white or blue cotton cloth, that covers them from the waist to the knee, the rest of their body is naked, going barefoot and bareheaded, only sometimes wearing an ordinary handkerchief round their heads, and for the most part gold Rings, or three wooden pins in their ears. These women have their peculiar beauties, as tall, proper, comely, and well proportioned bodies, and a certain great air, especially when they walk; they smoke much, and are scarce ever seen without a pipe.  
I was to see the Town of Saintiague, about three Leagues from the place our ships lay at anchor; where I was told that he whom I took for Governor, was only the Lieutenant; the Governor residing always at Saintiague. This is a little Town in a bottom, situated by the sea side, through which a large River takes its course, descending from the neighbouring Mountains which surround it; It has a matter of three hundred houses; the best part of the Inhabitants are Portuguese, the rest Negroes, these last go naked, the former clad after their own Fashion, having all Beads about their necks.  
There's a Bishop in this Town, a Native of Lisbon, of the order of St. Frances; and two Convents, one of Men and the other of Women. There's a Fort raised at the end of the Town, mounted with two cast Guns, and at the foot of it eight, and three Iron Guns, mouthing towards the sea; hard by, is the Isle of Fougo, or the Fiery Island, where there's a very high mountain, whose top casts, fourth flames continually, with a thick smoke. This is all I could remark in the short stay I made here.  
Saintiague is an Island of Cape Verde, belonging to the Portuguese, which is situated in fourteen degrees, thirty six Minutes North Lat. and three hundred and fifty three degrees thirty Minutes Longitude. I have already said, that provisions were so scarce here, that we could have but one Bullock, which was divided amongst us all, and some sheep for the Commodant, but plenty of excellent Fish is caught here. We got some barrels of fresh water which was none of the best, and hard to come by, having it out of a dirty Cistern, which was a great distance from the sea. After we had filled our empty Casks with it, Monsieur Duquesne weighed Anchor, and left Saintiague, Tuesday the 21st. at five a clock in the morning.   

CHAP. VII.  
The passing of the Line in 358 Deg. of Long. and the burning Heats that are felt there.  
WE made great way the first three or four days, but the winds beginning to slack as we approached the heats of the Line, we did not sail so fast as before; being now Passion, or the Holy-week, Father Tachard would omit nothing of the holy Exercises practised at this time, we sung the Tenebra, we heard Sermons, and tho' at sea performed all the duties of Christians who have more conveniency.  
Holy Friday the 24th. of March this Father, who often studied the Courses and Position of the Stars, foretold us an Eclipse of the Moon, which should happen at seven a clock in the evening, five Minutes past, and end exactly at ten, which accordingly did; it could not be seen in France, ●…r according to the Calculation, it was ●o be at Paris at four a clock in the afternoon.  
In the mean time we insensibly approached the Line, the passing of which 〈◊〉 don't admire people should dread so much, we had nothing now but faint winds, very inconstant, and almost continual Calms, caused by the excessive heats which are felt here, which would be unsupportable, if it were not for those sudden gusts that abate them, and cool the air from time to time; these sudden gusts, or rather rains, are commonly accompanied with cool winds that greatly comfort this scorching passage, they rise and cease of a sudden, and then a burning calm succeeds  
'Tis then that troops of Fish leaping above the water of all sides, invite the seamen to take them. I remember one day when the sea was a little rough, I, with no little pleasure, beheld shoals of fish leaping above the water, and continuing so as long as their fins were wet, to avoid the pursuit of the Bonites, a large fish, who is a great devourer of the rest; the others; as I said, are forced to quit their natural Element, and have much a do to save themselves by their often rising above it, being often snapped by them in the air; so that it's almost impossible for them to escape the enemy, who incessantly pursues them in vast numbers. We took a great many of these Bonites, which resemble Shads, but are more savoury and firm.  
We were within five or six Degrees of the Line, and so had continual Calms, which were almost unsupportable, and by which we suffered extremely; our Wine and Victuals were spoiled, and our Vigour consumed, and our Distemper increased daily through the long and violent heats; the very air that should keep us alive, almost suffocated us, night and day the heat was so excessive, that the very Sealing-wax we had in our trunks melted. The rest of this Month passed without any thing remarkable, save that it thundered, with violent winds and rain, which forwarded us very much in our Voyage.  
'Twas not a little ghastly, in the horrors of dark and tempestuous nights, to see the Lightnings perform the office of the day; which gave us no other prospect, but that of a rising and a yawning Ocean, into which two of our Men fell.  
The fifth of April our Carpenter being at the ships head, fell into the sea; but being a good swimmer, he kept himself above water till he got hold of a rope, and then cried out for help; one of the Seamen presently gave him his foot to take hold of, which breaking, he drew the other in with him, we gave 'em all the assist- we could, and with much ado saved them both at last.  
The way we made this night, brought us considerably nearer the Line; which we longed to pass, almost quite spent with the intolerable heats we had endured for fiefteen days time; only those rains which fell helped to abate the raging heats, and were a great relief to us; at length, after a great deal of them, accompanied with Thunder and Lightnings Sunday the ninth of April at ten a clock in the morning we passed the Line, which we so impatiently longed for.  
Here the Mariners use an execrable custom of a mock Baptism, which is fitter to be condemned with the utmost severity than described.   

CHAP. VIII.  
How the sick recovered after passing the Line. Monsieur Hortin, Captain of the Rock, dies.  
TO the Southward of the Line we met with as long and frequent Calms as before; which for some days made us as earnestly wish to get at a distance from it, as we did before to pass it. There is nothing distresses a Voyage more than those Calms, while unable to go backward or forward, you are forced to remain whole days in the same place, scorching and broiling in the sun, and tumbling on great rolling waves and surges which are met here, notwithstanding the calm, so that one can scarce stand on the deck; but being past the Line about a hundred Leagues, our miseries began to abate, as the Southeast winds began to blow, when we found ourselves as in another Climate, and to breathe a more temperate air: This change rejoiced us all, and was very happy for the sick, of whom two parts in three presently recovered, besides our hopes of doubling the Cape of Good-hope increased daily, by the vast way we made, which sometimes was no less than 55 Leagues in 24 hours, and had been more, if all our ships had sailed alike, and one had not been forced to stay for the other, that we might not lose company, so that we could not make the same use of the wind as a single ship would.  
About this time Monsieur Duquesne was informed of Monsieur Hortin's sickness, who was Captain of the Rock, as he was a person of great experience, and whom he had a great value for, he often visited him, and ordered the Surgeons of the Squadron to consult of his Distemper, who seemed to have good hopes of him, but his age made him yield to the violence of it, which took him off the 22d. of April; all were very sensible of his death, which was presently known by the signal from the Rock, which all day had her two Flags half down, and her Fane quite down, the common Ceremonies with which the funeral of a Captain is honoured, with eleven Guns when he is thrown into the Sea.  
Our Commandant was not much put to it to choose one in his place, who was fit to succeed him; for he presently chose Monsieur Pouriere, who accepted the employment, to the great regret of his own Crew, who were not a little troubled to part with him, who they loved so entirely for his many excellent Accomplishments.   

CHAP. IX.  
Passage of the Tropic of Capricorn, and the Cape of Good-hope happily doubled.  
WE had calms for some days, and the winds were changeable, but this did not last long, for blowing fresher and fresher, we passed the Tropic of Capricorn the 15th. at ten at night. In this traverse you're exposed to a great many different Climates; as we approached the Cape, we had delicate cool winds, which were not a little pleasant to us, after coming out of the scorching heats of the Line: These two contrary qualities acting on the same bodies, produced violent effects, and thence our sickness at land had its original.  
Hitherto we sailed as happily as we could wish, nothing was more beautiful than the sea, which seemed to join with the winds to Expedite our Voyage; the very water in the hold was not corrupted, and being as happy as could be expected in a voyage of this kind; in a little time we met with the western winds, which were necessary to gain the Cape of Good-hope.  
The third of May we had them, but they lasted but a little while, coming about to the North, which serving our purpose as well, we sailed sixty Leagues in 24 hours with them, which made us hope we should soon be at the place where we were to anchor, which every one earnestly desired, so that our joy was excessive when we reached the height of the Cape. The judgement of our Pilots was confirmed by the sight of the Velvet Channels, called so from a large Bird which is only seen there, because half their plumage resembles Velvet spotted with Pearl. We saw two whales, with a great number of birds of different kinds, and all sorts of colours; the Calms delayed us there very much, and hindered our passing it, as did likewise the contrary winds.  
But with the blessing of God overcoming these difficulties, Sunday the 28th. of May we doubled the Cape of Good-hope, with a northerly wind as good as we could wish. It's here our ships refit going to the Indies, and meet with plenty of provisions; but being in War with the Dutch, who are Masters of the Cape, we were deprived of this happiness; and so without so much as passing within sight of it, we continued our Voyage, resolving not to stop till we reached Amiovam, which is 800 Leagues farther.   

CHAP. X.  
The Bank of Needles, a most dangerous passage: And sight of the Isle of Madugascar: Which made us rejoice.  
IT still blue so fair, that next day by seven a clock in the morning we arrived at the Bank of Needles, tho' it be forty Leagues from the Cape; the Rock sounding, found ground at the first, of which she gave us notice by a gun, and hanging out a flag; our Commandant ordered Te Deum to be sung at the end of Mass, to thank GOD for it, after which we made it our business to get over it as soon as possible, the winds rising making that place more dangerous, which at last grew to a storm.  
We could scarce bear as much sail as was sufficient to keep the ships head to the Waves, which while they rolled, often entered into them; the Dragon lost the round top of her Mainmast, which Monsieur Duquesne observing, he furled a sail, that she might not be left too far behind, which delayed us a little, for else we had been clear of the Bank that very day. At four in the evening we saw the Needle's Cape on our left, at about five or six Leagues distance, two sea wolves, and a power of strange birds.  
After having happily past this Bank, and the Cape of Good Hope, we were past the worst, and had little more to fear; we had no more to wish but to discover the Isle of Madagascar, which was absolutely necessary in our passage to Amiovam; fifteen days we impatiently waited for it, at which time Thursday the 15th. of Jure we made it, which greatly rejoiced us all, and for which we sung Te Deum; for had we missed it, we should scarce have been able to have found a place to refit, or so much as know where we were.  
We were not long before we saw the Lion, who was sent upon the discovery; Monsieur Duquesne finding he was just on the Island, struck sail, and with the signal of a Gun gave notice to the other ships to follow him; so steering North, North East, the wind in our stern, we left Madagascar on the right to the East of us.  
This is perhaps the greatest Island in the world; it's situated betwixt 12 and 22 Degrees of south Lat. it's allowed to be about 800 Leagues in compass, and 300 over; it has several Kings, each having a good part of it; they often make War on one another, and command a great many men, of whom some are so savage, that they care not for having any commerce with strangers, and often eat one another, and their neighbours when they can light on them.   

CHAP. XI.  
The Squadron anchors at the Isle of Moelly.  
WE had all along resolved to anchor at Amiovam, but the report of some, who assured us that 'twas easier to be supplied with water and wood at Moelly, which is but eight Leagues distant from it, made Monsieur Duquesne go thither first; that after having well refreshed his Company and supplied his wants, he might be in a condition when he came to Amiovam, to fight and chase the ships he hoped to meet there, being the place where the English use to take in Supplies. This conduct proceeded from his great prudence and experience, and knowledgein those parts; for you must know, that if you miss anchoring at Amiovam, 'tis impossible almost to regain it; and if we had gone thither at first, what a mortification it would have been to us, meeting shipping there, to see 'em weigh anchor immediately and begun, without our being able to follow them.  
So that we could not take our measures better, and earnestly desiring to arrive there, and the wind serving, the Pilots every day encouraged us to hope for't. On the 20th. of June we had the happiness to descry it; and the Sentinel whom we had placed on the Top-gallant no sooner cried Land, but we hoist our Flag to give the welcome news to the other ships who were behind, which caused a vast and universal joy, especially amongst the Sick, who would needs come above-board to behold the Land where they hoped for recovery. Being now late we durst not come too nigh, so having lain By half the night, Wednesday the 21st. of June we came to an anchor before the Isle of Moelly, between nine and ten in the morning.   

CHAP. XII.  
Monsieur Duquesne treats with the King of the Isle of Moelly for refreshments, who furnishes him in abundance: Its Situation, Fertility Religion, and Manners of its Inhabitants.  
THe Commandant gave the Gun of Assurance, the common practice amongst strange Nations when War is not intended, and sent in a sloop with Monsieur Voutron and the Scrivain, to know if upon presenting the King, we might be furnished with Refreshments and other necessaries, they were received as well as could be imagined by these Savages, who seemed very well pleased to exchange their Fruits and cattle with us.  
This great present consisted of two pieces of Indian cloth, and an old Musket, which the latter carried, who had been in the Country before, and spoke some Portuguese; he presented them to the King, who was then in a sweet and pleasant Valley, called the Queen's Creek, lying by the sea side, about 7 Leagues from where we anchor. If one may judge of his Condition, by his Brother and Sons, whom I have seen selling Hens for paper, it can be none of the greatest; this little Prince was charmed with our Present, and signified to the Scrivain by an Indian Portuguese, who had lived some time in the Country, and was his Interpreter, and Intendant of his Affairs, that he thanked the Commandant, and that he would give Orders to his subjects to furnish us with whatever we had occasion, for our Money.  
Upon which Monsieur Duquesne went a shore that very day, to regulate every thing, that there might be no disorder or difference on the landing; and ordered the Captains of the several ships, to command the seamen on pain of death to offer no violence to the Negroes. Next morning we debarkt our sick to the number of about fifty, most ill of the Scurvy, for whom we made Tents by the Sea side; the Negroes came from all parts, with provisions, vix. Oxen, Cows, Kids, and almost all other kinds of provisions, which we had plenty every day, and at very easy rates.  
Our Commandant finding he could at an easy rate refresh his men here after their vast fatigues, allowed them while they stayed every day, as much fresh provisions morning and evening as they could eat, which were so plentiful and cheap, that a fat Ox cost but four Livers and a half, a Cow but a Crown, and Pullet's, Kids, Eggs, Milk, and Fruits we had in exchange for Knives, Paper, and bits of Linen.  
Of all other, they were fondest of Knives and Linen: Being generally Magicians, they made use of the first to make characters, and with the last they covered their nakedness; and some of our men have bought an Ox for an old tattered Shirt.  
They were no less careful to supply us aboard than a shore, coming every day in their Pirogues, which are little Banows made of the hollowed trunk of a Tree; bringing us Ananas, Bananes, Cocos, Lemons, Oranges, and divers other excellent sorts of fruits, which we had in plenty, as well as of the other provisions while we lay at anchor.  
Every meal seemed a feast, and indeed we had no less than four or five several sorts of meat at each, as much water as we would drink, besides our ration of wine at dinner and supper, instead of Aqua-vita, which we were forced to drink for two months; we had great plenty of Oranges, and scarce eat or drank any thing without them, so that our present happiness mads us forget all our past miseries, which lasted three whole months, without so much as sight of land, and having no more than was just necessary to keep us alive.  
Moelly is an Island of Arabia, which may be about 30 Leagues in compass, situated in 12 degrees of south Lat. and 63 Degrees 40 Minutes of Long. it's very fertile through the frequent rains that fall, and hedged in with steep rocks; both its valleys and high mountains are covered with woods, in which fat Oxen are found, differing from those of France, by a bunch of fat on their backs like a wen; as likewise Kids, Poule, Pindades, Ringdoves, and a great deal of other game, and there would be excellent fowling if it were not for the inaccessible Mountains. The Orange and Lemon Trees are not its least glory, they stand so thick in some places, that one may smell them at a great distance, and distinguish them amongst crowds of other odorifirocous Trees, not inferior even to them; there's scarce a sweet Orange to be found, but all of a delicate tartness, except some of a smaller growth, that have neither the form nor size of a true natural Orange.  
The Island produces besides, excellent Rice and Mill, thrice as large as that of France, and were it more even and compact, would be very fit to live in. It seems to be but thinly peopled, for I saw but one Village, of about threescore or fourscore cottages, made and covered with branches of Palm, under which the Negro's lie; the entrance into them is so low, that one must creep to get into them; they sleep on Mats of rice straw, which they lay on the ground; one sees nothing here which does not argue the miserable life these Savages lead.  
Taking a view of this Village, I had the curiosity to enter into a wretched Hutt, built of stone and sand; which they told me was a Pagod, or Temple, in which these wretches worship an Ox's head, the forehead being inscribed with Arabic characters; they made him a grot in the wall, adorned with shell work, where they placed this reverend Divinity, and which they removed a little after we went in, whither 'twas they believed us unworthy to look on't, or that they observed we slighted it as much as it deserved: The middle of the Pagod was matted, and on the right side as you enter, there was a pole stuck in the ground forked at one end, supporting some mother of pearl burnt; on the inside, which I suppose served for a lamp; and a little lower of the same side, was a staircase of 5 steps, leading to the place where the King sits.  
To so many superstitions they join a great many of the Mahometan, so true it is that the Author of that infamous Religion, has spread his follies at so great a distance. When we arrived, it was the time of their Ramadam, or Lent, during which they mayn't eat, drink, or smoke till the sun's set, and they are so exact in't, that no persuasions or threats can make 'em do otherwise.  
These Negroes appeared more Savage than they of Saintiague, ruder in their manner of living, but more plain in their dealing; they are large, and strong bodied, but very fearful; a Pistol shot will scare them so, that they'll run into the woods to hide, so much they fear fire Arms. They were long beards, and their hair covering their shoulders; for 'tis to be observed, that to the south of the Line, they all have them thus, and to the North, have short friz hair; they all go naked, having only a rag of Linen to cover their nakedness, and some wear beads about their necks without crosses, and holes in their Ears that your finger will go through.  
I could never imagine that these Savages could be so jealous of their Wives, for they hid them in their Cottages as we passed by, that we might not see them, judging our inclinations I suppose by their own; we saw, some of their women who are not easily to be distinguished from their Men, but by their habit; which consists of a piece of Linen that crosses their Stomaches, and so falls down their breasts, with another which binds their Thighs behind and before like drawers: They are very wild, for when I but touched one of their ears, to observe three little pieces of wood she had in them, she skriekt out, and ran as if I intended to eat her.  
Tho' Idolaters, yet they are very temperate and sober; and for the most part feed only on fish, fruits and Rice, and rarely eat any flesh, tho' they have plenty. Their best drink is Tarry, which is very refreshing, and much resembles the Cider made of pears in Brittany, it costs them no more pains than the rest of their provisions, which the unmanured soil freely furnishes 'em with of its own accord. It is no more than cutting the bottom of the Palm trees, and placing Vessels beneath to receive it.   

CHAP. XIII.  
The Squadron parts from the road of Moelly, on the news we received that there were some ships of the Enemy at Amiovam.  
WE had lain at anchor about Seven or Eight days, when we understood by a Negro, who spoke Portuguese, that there lay some ships at Amiovam. Tho' the information was uncertain, yet it gave us a great deal of joy, and the Commandant gave notice that we should make ready to sail in two days, so we made haste to take in all necessaries, and to supply ourselves with water, wood, and fresh provisions, to take down our Tents, and embark the sick, of whom we lost one at land, and three the day we landed, whom we cast into the sea, which with eleven we lost in crossing the Line, made in all fifteen since we left France.  
This evening Monsieur Duquesne gave orders for sailing, and accordingly next day being Saturday the first of July, we left the road of Moelly at 5 in the morning, but were becalmed almost all that day, except a faint wind that blew sometimes, which served us a little till six in the evening, when we came to an anchor again, for that night; next day we sailed, and it blowing a fresh gale, about ten we doubled the Isle of Moelly, and by reason of the Tides we were forced to coast it near the Shoar.  
We presently made all the sail we could that we might reach Amiovam as soon as possible, which was now in sight, the Rock still kept close to us, and in a little time the rest came up within 3 or 4 Leagues of us: and now we took down our hammocks, and made every thing ready for a fight, tho' we had no plain sight of any shipping, till we came near the road, when we perceived one lying at anchor near to land, and the smoke of two guns which were fired to warn the men aboard.  
'Twas now Sunset, and we had yet two Leagues before we could come up with her; all had orders to prepare, and we as usual, were posted on the quarter Deck, we had already hung out Dutch colours, and put a square Flag on the top of the Mainmast, making in with full sails to set upon her by day light.   

CHAP. XIV.  
An Engagement at Amiovam with an English ship richly laden, which was burnt with above three hundred persons in her.  
THis ship took a pleasure to see us coming in, believing us to be Dutch, and the rather, because Seven ships were to be sent this year from Holland to the East-Indies, but to rid them of their mistake, the Rock who had gained the wind of us, approached according to orders, with a design to anchor on her Buoy; we than took in our Flag, which very much surprised them, who presently hall'd the Rock, and asked him whence he was bound, and the Captain answering in Dutch from Amsterdam, they seemed mightily pleased; then he ask them again whence their ship was, answered, from London. The Captain was just ready to go aboard him, when the sloop which he had sent to get intelligence of us, and which he had ordered to go aboard the Admiral if they were Dutch, keeping close to the land side, for fear of being taken, came to give him notice that we were French; this unexpected news surprised him very much, and immediately gave orders to charge the guns; which the Rock observing, presently came and anchor on his buoy, and strait powered in his small shot, with a broad side into her, crying, Vive le Roy● Vive France.  
The English much surprised, returned us five guns, and going to tack about, the Rock at the second discharge splitting the Capstain, and wounded two and twenty of his men, upon which she cut away, and hoist sail with all the speed she could, which Monsieur Pouriere who was resolved to follow her close, no sooner observed but he cut his Cables too, and called to us to board her for that she was just sailing away.  
Our Commandant knowing what he had to do, presently tacked, and got under the wind with her, who fired on us with both her broad sides, seeing herself obliged to pass between us and the Rock, who still kept the wind of her, and powered his Musket shot into her, but we had no sooner suffered her to go a little a head of us, but we plied her with our great and small shot from both our ships, the English ship scarce firing at all, and thinking of nothing but of making her escape by the favour of the night.  
But his endeavours were to no purpose, for we were resolved to ply him close all night; after the third discharge, the Commandant ordered us to cease firing, while a message was sent to him, that if he would not surrender, he should be hanged up, on the Main-yard; this threatening message, which might have frightend another, gave him so little concern, that he answered it with as many great Guns as he could, at which we admired at the undaunted courage and resolution of the man, to stand it out at such a desperate rate, when there was no hopes of escaping.  
So we renewed the fight, and were board and board with him, our Mainyards almost touching for a good while, 'twas now we galled him terribly with our great and small shot, and scarce one missed, when if we might judge according to appearance, he must needs have last half his Company. Yet for all this he showed no sign of fear, or any thing like it; for we could not hear 'em so much as once cry for Quarter: But on the contrary, receiving our shot without firing, he lengthened out his Spritsail that he might come close to us, believing we had a design to board him, at which time he longed for nothing more, for if we had, he was resolved to blow us up, tho' at the expense of setting himself a fire, but happily the night coming on, was the cause the Commandant gave orders not to attempt it, so being contented for the present with what we had done, we stood aloof, and lay at some distance one from another, only the Rock would not quit her a moment, but continued still firing incessantly at her.  
By this time the rest of the Squadron came up, who presently began to fire on the unhappy Englishman, and surrounded him of all sides, that the ship scarce knew which way to turn her head; the bullets fell like hail into her, and the night was now so dark that one could scarce discern any thing, which was the cause that our ships incommoded one another, notwithstanding our lanthorns were all filled with lights.  
The enemy having for some time received a great many shot from us, without making any return, and thought of nothing but meeting with a convenient opportunity to make their escape. When Monsieur Duquesne observing 'twas in vain to waste powder and shot, and that 'twas to no purpose to think of reducing him before day, sent an armed sloop with an Officer, commanding all the ships not to fire any more, but only keep a strict watch on her all night.  
It might be now about eleven a clock, the action having lasted without intermission since eight, when the Commandant ordered us to repose ourselves for a while; and the sloop going to the Rock with these orders; Monsieut de Pouriere, the Captain of it, sent us a young Malovin Seaman, who made his escape from aboard the enemy by swimming, and had come aboard him, after his second discharge.  
This man informed us, that the English Captain, after giving all his men a large bowl of Canary, exhorted them to fight it out to the last; telling them at the same time too, that he was resolved to set fire to the ship before ever it should fall into our hands, if we proved to be French; which he but too well performed, as you'll see by what follows. The ships name was the Herbert▪ built for eighty Guns; carrying but 54; and two hundred and fifty men, with about fourscore passengers, amongst whom was a rich English Bankrupt, who had fourscore thousand crowns in silver, having with him his wife and a daughter, a great beauty about twenty years old, with two young sons, one of which was born under the Line.  
He told us the Cargo of the ship consisted of Laces, and Brocard of gold, scarlet clothes, Bevers, Iron, Tobacco, Canary wines, and a great deal of Money; ordered for commerce, and paying off the English soldiers in the service of the Company, who had received no pay in four years' time, and that if taken would prove a vast rich Prize, which very much rejoiced us. But the desperate Captain took care that none should be the richer for't, or gain by what he lost.  
So we gave over firing in good time, for besides that it signified nothing; we should a done ourselves as much damage as the enemy; at length he made four or five shot at us, to waken our Squadron out of that profound steep it seemed to have been in, and then lay still; and continuing so for some time, about two in the morning the wind blowing fresh, she made all the sail she could to escape the approaching danger.  
He thought the same happiness would have attended him now; which he had had at the Canary Islands, where it's said he cleared himself of three stout Algerines that surrounded him; but he soon found to the contrary, for he was no sooner under sail, but we began to follow him, when seeing there was no possibility of escaping, and that as soon as 'twas day, we should bear down upon him in a line, and sink him; Fired with rage and despair, he took the most cruel resolution in the world; and without any more delay set fire to his ship, placing two chests of powder under the highest part of the stern, near the Mizzen Mast; making his escape himself through the Gunner's room in his boat, in which they perceived a light, but he endeavoured to hide it that they might not follow him.  
This dreadful spectacle amazed us exceedingly, and as eagerly as we endeavoured to attack her before, as hastily we attempted to avoid her now; our men looked on't as belonging to themselves; and could not but censure the Captain, for acting so cruel and inhuman a part, as not to save his Cargo, or perish with them himself. But this horrible proceeding quite ruined the opinion, we had before conceived of his bravery.  
Some of our men heard these miserable people crying out like the damned, and running up the bolt spirit in crowds, endeavouring to avoid the flames, which raged so violenty, but 'twas in vain. The ship continually burning for three hours, when at length the flames catching in the powder room, it blew up all at once; so that in less than half a quarter of an hour there was nothing to be seen of that rich ship, but dreadful conflagration.  
Our single ship fired for her share no less than 200 and 80 guns, and we had five men killed and six wounded; I could not receive an exact account of what the rest suffered, but I am certain we suffered most; after having repaired▪ what damage we sustained, we steered our course North North East, and left Amiovam behind us, Monsieur de Pourier being unable to regain the Point was constrained to cut his cables.   

CHAP. XV.  
We passed the Line a second time in the 7th. Degree of Long▪ without feeling any extraordinary heat, one of our Seamen unhappily drowned.  
WE were to pass the Line again before we could arrive at Pontichery, tho' in doing of it, we felt no extraordinary heat, nor the other usual inconveniences, nor were so much as becalmed; of the contrary, the wind increasing still more and more since our departure, on Monday the tenth of July we repast it at eleven in the morning, in the 70th. Deg. of Longit. without so much as perceiving when we were under it, by reason of the Southern winds which blew so fresh, that the heat was less than that we often feel at Paris in summer: Never was Voyage happier; sailing no less than three or four Leagues an hour, and the winds as good and constant as we could desire.  
Sailing so successfully, we could not miss arriving quickly in the height of the Maldives, which we left of the right, without so much as seeing them; tho' we had sent the Lion on the 20th. to discover them they are seldom past unseen, but our Pilots according to their Card, and their calculation, told us they must be there, so we reckoned we should soon be at the Isle of Ceylon, whither we were ordered to go, to see if there were any of the Enemy's ships there, for besides that the Dutch, had several Colonies there, the English came thither every year for Nutmegs, Cinnamon, and Cloves, with which this Island greatly abounds.  
The same day one of our Seamen was drowned about six at night, when the rest of our men were at supper; all things seemed to conspire to his loss, a slack wind in our stern, made the ship roll very much, and instead of eating with his Comrades according to custom, he went on the Deck to kill a Kidd, were treading on the blood of the Kidd, he slipped, and fell into the sea, to which the rolling of the ship very much contributed; he was a pretty way off us before we perceived it, and so could give him no help by casting out ropes, the Mariners did all that they could, and Monsieur Duquesne ordered them to take down the sails, and hoist the boat out, but ' 'ttwas too late; and we saw him perish, without our being able to give him the least assistance.  
Next day, being the 22d. there happened a pleasant, but an unlucky, mistake, presently after noon, the Seamen cried Land before us; and we immediately believed that 'twas the Coast of Coromandal, or the Isle of Ceylon, we made the ordinary signal, and presently after discovered eight Islands, near one another, which joined to the view we had of land to the South, made Monsieur Duquesne say, that 'twas certainly the Maldives; the Pilots could not be of his opinion, and the reputation of their skill and judgement was concerned, to differ from him: In the mean time after perusing the Cards and their Journals, they owned their mistake, and agreed that the biggest sight of land, was the point of the Maldives, which is the most Northerly Island of all the rest which we found too true; and we attributed the cause of this mistake, to the strong Currents which they found had thrown us too much to the west, we presently tacked about, and lay by all night, for fear of being run aground by the tides.   

CHAP. XVI.  
Vicu of the Isle of Ceylon, famous for its Beauty, Riches, and the mountain of the Peke of Adam; a Dutch Pink with eight chests of Silver made Prize.  
FRom break of day till Friday the 28th. we made all the sail we could, when Loyseau▪ who kept the head of the Squadron, made a signal of his discovering land, and after we had descried it ourselves too on the edge of the Horizon, we hoist our flag to give notice to the rest: 'Twas not long before we plainly perceived the Isle of Ceylon, at which we very much rejoiced, having all along expected to meet some of the Enemy's ships there. I think I never saw a more pleasant Country, being very even and of a vast extent, and one of the most rich and fertile in the world; you see here a great number of tall Trees ever green; some forming lovely Arbours, others beautiful alleys, in the vast plains which stretched themselves towards the sea side, besides a rich smell of Nutmegs and Cinnamon, charming and delicious beyond Expression.  
Of the three Mountains in this Island, there is one remarkable for its height and name, being the Peke of Adam, and by some believed that Adam and Eve were buried here, which is as great a certainty as that other opinion, they have here; that God in this Island established the terrestrical Paradise, which I leave to the more knowing to judge of.  
This Isle is placed between 6 and 10 Deg. of North Lat. and 103 Deg. of Long. its form is round, and may be about 250 Leagues in compass, or better. The Dutch who are Masters of it, draw an immense revenue thence, for the Nutmegs, and Cinnamon, as well as the Pearl, which is fished up here.  
Coasting the Island we discovered two sail a head of us, who seemed to keep at a distance from the Island, but presently made to land when they saw us. Our Commandant impatient to know whence they were, thought to snap them by hoisting up English colours, and making all the sail he could; the Dragon as the swiftest sailer went to cut off their way, and when we were within shot of them, we fired a gun, as did the Dragon too, and the ball so scared 'em that instead of coming aboard as we hoped; they presently fled for refuge to a house by the sea side; a few hours after, the Sentinel who was on the top, cried a Sail; I can't easily describe the different motions of joy it caused amongst us; some went up to the round-top, others to the fane, others who could not so easily do it, stood in the shrouds, and the rest made use of their Perspectives to discover a vessel, which could not yet be seen but by her top, yet after an hours sailing, she was plainly discerned, to be three Leagues off.  
The Sun was already set, and we feared but one thing; which was, that she would sail off in the night and so escape us, by taking a contrary course, so that we scarce knew what to do, tho' we were sure she lay at anchor, our Commandant considered of it, being loath to do, as he had done before at Amiovam, where he shot a matter of eight hundred shot at random in the night, when fifty would serve by day light, so he resolved to lie by her all night, without attempting any thing; by which means we should confirm her the more in her mistake of us.  
So we anchor in 25 fathom water at seven a-clock, and next morning being the 25th. weighed anchor again at 5 in the morning the wind blowing fresh quickly brought us to the sight of her, for which we were so much concerned all night, lest she should make her escape. We first heard Mass, after that we breakfasted, and then Monsieur Duqusne ordered to hoist up English colours; the Enemy mistaking their friends, answered us by hanging out Dutch colours, without stirring from where they lay, giving us all the time and opportunity we could wish for, to attack them, and now indeed it was in vain to attempt an escape, if they had known we were French.  
This Vessel lay at Anchor in the road of Mevelle, under the shelter of a high ground, which hindered her having a sight of us the night before. The Rock whom we followed entered into the same road, and anchored by her side, which she had scarce done, but the Dutch understanding what we were, endeavoured to get ashore in their sloop with their richest things; at the same time Monsieur de Pouriere man'd out his sloop▪ after our Commandant had returned back again, unwilling that any should share the first advantage with him, which was very Considerable, else the enemy had not had time to go ashore, and save what they did, and we had certainly taken 2 Women who carried off eight hundred Caupants of gold, to the value of above 10000 crowns in Pearls and Jewels.  
While these fled ashore, we made a detachment of six Guard Marins and several Musketeers to arm the sloop, and the boat, in which Monsieur Dauberville, our Lieutenant, was commanded to board the Dutch man; I was chosen with one of my comrades to accompany him, and the other four going in the boat, we went directly to the Pink while the men aboard her Smoking their pipes viewed us with little or no Concern, but seven or eight, more affrighted than the rest, cried out to the Negroes, who were not far off; to fetch them a shore in their Perogues, which they did; notwithstanding all our threats; the Dutch leapt into it confusedly, but our men in the boat Coming up with them at the first fire so scared them, that they chose to Row back again to their ship, and there abide the utmost.  
We were within pistol shot of the ship, when we saw one of the Seamen busy at one of the Guns, upon which we in a manner gave ourselves for lost, and Monsieur Duquesne had the same opinion of us; and had they been men of any resolution, nothing had been easier than to have destroyed us, by levelling one gun at the boat, and another at the sloop.  
'Twas now some time since our Squadron had hung out French colours, and the enemy-thinking all resistance vain; took down theirs, when we presently boarded them, without the least resistance, crying, Vive le Roy.  
One would scarce believe with what earnestness and violence the Seamen pillage, when they enter a ship, breaking open trunks and boxes, and rifling every thing, nay, they were so violent in plundering these Dutchmen, that some of them fell on the Captain, who was smoking quietly with his Lieutenant, tearing the gold buttons out of the neck and sleeves of his shirt, and taking six Caupants of gold from him, which is a sort of long money of Japan, of the value of ten crowns a piece.  
Monsieur D' Auberville having embarked all the Spoil he received from the Seamen that boarded her, sent back the Boat to our Commandant; who landed some men in it, soon enough to recover eight of those Eleven Chests of Silver, which the Enemy had carried off in their sloop. Our men soon discovered them, by a tract of Rix Dollars that were scattered on the Sand, which lead them directly to the place where the Dutchmen had hid them; but our pursuit being vigorous, they they had not time enough to convey them to a Counter about 2 Leagues distant.  
Some of the Seamen got no less than 3 or 400 Crowns in the plunder, for their share, and afterwards their thoughts run on nothing else but more prize and pillage. This was a new Pink, of about 70 Tun, and came from Batavia ballasted with Rice, to load Nutmegs and Cinnamon at Ceylon. We fetched her out of the road of Mevelle, and brought her to an anchor hard by our Squadron; the prisoners we desperst amongst us, Monsieur Duquesne took six of the chief of them, with the Captain and Lieutenant, whom he treated at his own Table, and omitted no part of Civility, that might lessen the sense of their present loss and imprisonment.   

CHAP. XVII.  
Another small Dutch Vessel taken.  
HAving chosen a Pilot, and some Seamen to conduct the Prize, we sailed the last of July in the evening, and came to an anchor nearer Land, but sailed again early next morning, still on the watch for more Prize. We were very much delayed here by a calm that lasted four days, and the slow sailing of the Prize, which could not keep us company; we took in some of our sails to stay for her, this made the Commandant resolve to send the Lion with her to Pontecherry, where the Squadron was to call, while we cruised about the Island.  
Being thus separated on the 6th. of August, we perceived a ship a head of us, when we presently made all the sail we could to come up with her before she could gain the land, which she endeavoured with all the speed she could; at a distance we believed her as big as the Rock, but after giving he chase for 2 hours, we found she was a small Vessel of thirty five Tuns; carrying Dutch colours, we fired one gun at her without ball, to make her strike, which she presently did, and lay by till we came up, seeing us hang out English Colours, but the Captain of this little Vessel was not a little surprised, when he saw us take in the English Colours and hang out French, and took down his own, when we presently commanded him aboard; who answering he had near a boat, we sent our sloop, who brought him, and 20 more Dutch prisoners aboard, whom we distributed amongst the several ships.  
This poor man looked upon himself as lost▪ with his whole Family, and the first favour he desired of the Commandant was, to take pity on his wife and six Children which he had, which was promised him; when Monsieur Duquesne gave orders to bring his Chest aboard, which when 'twas searched, there was found neither money nor merchandise of value in it, any more than in the Vessel, so he had leave given him to return with his wife, who was a Negress; but the command of his ship was given to another, and a Pilot and other Seamen put aboard.   

CHAP. XVIII.  
Six Dutch ships under the Fort of Negapatam, avoid being attacked by the advantage of a Sand bank.  
AFter we had cruised for some time upon the Isle of Ceylon, we left it, and made towards the main Land; the 9th. of August we anchored within five leagues of the Negapatan, which is a Town on the coast of Coramandel, where the Dutch have a Fort, and a considerable Factory. Next day, having weighed anchor early in the morning, we arrived there betimes, and every one being greedy of Action, we were overjoyed to see six ships there, that seemed to us of a considerable burden.  
The Fort discovering us, set up Dutch colours, and three of these ships, of which the greatest, as Admiral, hung them out on the Main mast top; we answered them presently with English colours, which did not puzzle them a little to discover what we were; in the mean time we made in with full sail, ready and forward to engage.  
But just as we thought to seize our prey two accidents happened that baukt us extremely; the wind blowing from the land, and a Sand bank which we discovered, hindered us from coming within shot of them; we passed on still sounding, and were once in four fathom and an half, the ships mudding the water as they passed.  
These delays and these turnings, gave them time to discover what we were; so that the Admiral who anchored at large, suspecting our tacking about so long, made close into the land, intending to run herself aground, if pursued, others followed her example, and two ranged themselves under the Cannon of the Fort.  
Monsieur Duquesne meeting with such difficulties, would undertake nothing of his own head; but called a a Council of War, in which it was resolved to run no risk, for besides that there was nothing to be done, we were in great danger of running a ground on the Bank, so we tacked, and stood to sea.  
An hour after we discovered three more, which we reckoned would make us amends for our former loss, but as soon as we came nigher, we discovered them to be Danes by their colours, and so had nothing to say to them; They lay at anchor before Trinqubart, five Leagues from Negapatan, where they have a Fort and Factory.   

CHAP. XIX.  
The Indian Princes take the Factories in their Dominions into their protection, and defend them from the Insults of a stronger Enemy.  
WE anchored two Leagues farther over, against a Factory that belongs to us, where there are only two French who have but four or five portholes, with as many guns to defend them, which rather make a show than a real strength; when they discovered our Squadron they hung out a white flag, notwithstanding, that they had reason to believe us Dutch or English.  
But in the judies, each Factory sets out their own National Colours be it in time of War or Peace, be they ne'er so weak, or the approaching enemy ne'er so strong: For if the English, for example▪ insult a French Factory, the Great Mogul, or another Prince, in whose Country the Factory is, resents it as done to himself, and obliges himself to make amends for any damage received.  
A little after we hung out white colours, which very much surprised our French, who did not know what to make of such a novelty, but when we added the Admiral flame on the main mast top, and considering the building of our ships when they came to an anchor, they no longer doubted, as they told us afterwards, but that it was Monsieur Duquesne's Squadron, which they had every day expected, upon which they presently came to Compliment him; our Sloop which was sent to them, met them half way, and brought them aboard, where we longed for their Company; as well to learn News of them, as to meet with our Countrymen, in so distant a part of the world, with whom we might happily entertain ourselves, and be informed of what was necessary, we did them some honour, for going to the Council Chamber, where Monsieur Duquesne expected them, they passed through two double Lanes, lined with Soldiers and Seamen, who pressed hard to see them, that they could scarce go along, they told us little news, and next day we parted for Pontecherry, where we with reason expected to hear more, and with more certainty.   

CHAP. XX.  
The French Squadron arrives before Ponticheri, the chief Factory of our East-India Company; situated on the Coast of Coromandel.  
THe Coast of Coromandel is very beautiful all along; the pleasant mixture of Meadows and Trees ever green, making a Charming prospect, you meet with mountains here and there, which intercept it, but are themselves a prospect no less pleasant: and some rising grounds, which you overlook and lose your sight in delicious▪ fair, and wide extended plains; besides a number of beautiful habitations by the sea side, where you meet with another entertainment, which to me seemed very diverting, which is a great number of Catamarans, in which the Negroes of the Country go a fishing, they are made of two or three pieces of a Tree, bound together with Coco cords, with a Mat sail of a Triangular form, as they sit in them their breech touches the water, and yet they are not afraid to launch out ten or twelve Leagues in them; the sea is some times covered with these Catamarans, which sail so swiftly, tho' with ne'er so small a wind, that at a distance you would take them for birds skiming up and down on the surface of the waters.  
We passed by a Dutch factory, before which there lay only one bark, that was not worth the taking coasting a long, we at length arrived at Porta-Nova at eleven in the morning, near which we saw four Pagods hard by one another, in which the Negroes worship the Devil, we saw there three ships, of which the biggest carried a flag on the top of the Mainmast; these were worth the attacking, but whither they were willing to spare us the pains, or rather prevent their own danger, they hung out Danish colours, And nothing could impose upon us more, tho' we can't Vindicate our weakness in this matter, considering they lay at anchor before a Dutch factory, and knowing too, that the Danes had but three ships in the East-Indies, which we had just left at Frinquebart; after having made a faint to discover them, we left them to continue our course.  
We had so little wind, that we scarce expected to arrive the same day at Ponticherri, and being afterwards downright becalmed, we were obliged to anchor 2 Leagues short of the Courtoir, which is a Fort belonging to Prince Gingi, a friend to the French Nation, being now within 2 Leagues, we took our own time, and next day being Saturday, the 12 of August, the wind blowing a little fresh, we sailed, and at eight in the morning arrived at Pontecherri, where we found the Lion and the Dutch Pink, who came thither but the day before.  
We had scarce anchored within half a league of the land, when the greatest part of the Officers of the Fort came to wait upon the Commandant; the Fort saluted us with eleven guns, and we could return but nine, because the Deck was so encumbered. Next day Monsieur Martin, Director general for the French East-India Company came aboard, where he was received with a salute of five guns, and nobly regaled by Monsieur Duquesne, who delivered him his Majesty's Letter, by which he enabled him, and a few days after performed the Ceremony of girding him with a Sword by his side.  
Our arrival here spread a great and general joy, which appeared even amongst the Negroes of the Country; who in their way expressed their satisfaction, and no doubt our own French had reason to rejoice, to see us come with a force sufficient to make the Indies tremble; and their joy was equal to the consternation of the enemy, who secretly dispatched notice to all the Factories on the Coast, to be on their guard, against six French Privateers, the stoutest, and the best, that had yet been sent from Europe into those parts.  
This alarm which the English and Dutch gave one another, did not a little increase the glory and reputation of France; they were no more to be seen strutting in these parts, and hectoring the Fort of Pontichery, threatening to burn the Director in't, as they had done but two months before our arrival, with I don't know what other Rodomontadoes; of the contrary, let their strength be what they please to bluster it in these parts, they did not care for seeing us, or having any thing to do with us.  
We began with debarking the eight chests of Silver we took out of the Dutch prize, and four Musketeers conveyed the Captain and Lieutenant to the Fort till farther orders; our Commandant went a shore at the same time, and was received with a salute of five guns. Monsieur Martin entertained him so nobly, with the other Officesr of the Squadron, that feasting and hunting was all our employment, while we lay at anchor here.   

CHAP. XXI.  
The Negroes before we debarkt bring plenty of fresh provisions aboard. Money of Ponticheri.  
THe Negroes constantly came aboard us with fresh provisions; as Pigs, Hares, Hens, Bananes, Lemons, Oranges, Chibbols, Reddishes, Giraumont, and several other sorts of pulse; which were not so cheap as we expected, for the Negroes at the first sight of our six ships, knowing we should have need of all, presently raised their prizes, to that degree, that whereas before one might have bought thirty Hens for a crown, they now cost a Fanon a piece, which is six sols French.  
The Fanon is a little piece of mixed gold, of the shape and size of a half pea, and no bigger; there is another of pure gold, called a pagod, of the value of a half a pistol, shaped like the Fanon, only bigger, and the figure of an Idol impressed on one side; they have besides silver Roupys of the value of half a crown; and for their small money of Caches and Doudous of copper, there goes fourteen of these last to a Fanon, and two Caches to a Doudou.  
The Negroes found they were such gainers by us, that from morning till night you might see them fishing up and down in their Catamarans; and indeed they furnished us with the finest fish that ever I tasted, which they caught in such abundance, and with so much speed, that for three pence half penny we could buy as much as would satisfy eight persons.  
Our Men fed on Mutton, Pigs, and a power of herbs, which they through into the pot; which with other provisions made very good fare, but the Rice, of which all our bread was made since we took the Dutch Pink, was not so agreeable; especially to us who were so little used to it, besides the untoward way of making it, for after washing it in salt water, they baked it with a little salt, and we were often forced to eat it mere dough and full of chaff.   

CHAP. XXII.  
The Author's Reflections on the Sallies of his Youth, and the fatigues of his Voyage.  
VOyages of this kind, teach youth a great deal of experience; and by the miseries they meet with, convince them of the folly of their extravagancies. I am sure this Voyage instructed me largely in the knowledge of my own, for which I need not now be beholding to the examples of others. I suffered all that's extreme in hunger and thirst, and those Coroding miseries, galled me into more wisdom, and fretted me into a sense, of my, and a better value for my Father's house, and a soberer course of life, which I so much slighted before; this I got, whatever I lost; but I went far and paid dear for't; if any price can be too dear for wisdom.   

CHAP. XXIII.  
The Negroes flock to the Sea side to see us land, others come to help us in their boats.  
I Was one of the first that landed, tho' it be very difficult at Ponticheri, by reason the sea all along the coast rolls in mighty surges on the shore, so that without a great deal of care, boats are apt to be lost in landing and thetefore anchor at some distance, and wait the Negroes coming to take them a shore in the Chelingues, which are flat bottom boats, the planks sowed together with Coco cords, being light and very high of the sides, they humour the rolling of the surges, which has no sooner cast them on the shore, but the Negroes leap out, striving who shall carry you out, first on his back.  
I saw a great number of them at landing, of all sorts; some half naked, others thinly clad in muslin shirts, and turbans on their heads, and several with their bodies painted of divers colours; they saluted us in raising the right hand to the top of the head, which is the most respectful way of saluting amongst them; you see the Caze's raised of each side, and a Magazine of the Companies, and behind it there's a stable, in which there were eight Persians horses, which the Officers rid when they went a hunting, and two Suret Oxen, which drew Monsieur Martin's Coach.  
The Suret oxen are a rarity worth the seeing, being no less than ten or eleven foot high, and proportionably thick; they draw a cord of two inches thick through their nostrils for a bridle; tho' they appear very dull and heavy, yet they'll troth continually in the deep sand, and the roughest ways.  
A few steps farther, as you go towards the Fort, is a sort of a street which leads to the Bazar, the place where the Market is kept; encompassed round with a parcel of paltry shops, where the Negroes sell tobacco, pipes, sugar, colours, onions and others things of that kind.   

CHAP. XXIV.  
A short Description of Pontichery, and the Garrison; of the Negroes and Negresses.  
POvichery, commonly called Pontichery, is situated on the coast of Coromandel, depending on Prince G'ingi, in 12 Deg. Nor. Lat. and a 114 Deg. of Long; the French have within these two years built a Fort of four Towers, mounted with twenty four guns; neither the walls nor situation seemed strong to me, but the garrison, composed of a 150 French soldiers, are able to defend it against any attack.  
Monsieur Martin and the chief Officers are lodged in't, with the Capacins, who serve the Chapel which is built there. A great many of the Soldiers are settled there, and married to Portuguese Women, so that they scarce ever desire to return to France again, they have built themselves houses, in which they live very happily; and tho' that bread and wine is a little scarce, they have every thing else in great plenty.  
They drink Punch, Rack, and Lemonade, to which they accustom themselves very much; and if they trade ne'er so little, and are good husbands, they may lay up money; so that 'tis not to be wondered, that most of them having come hither for ill things done in France, they are not fond of returning thither, from this very hot and distant Country.  
All the Inhabitants are black, and of a comely Stature, having long hair and beards; their clothing is nothing but a white Cavage, with a turban on their heads of the same colour, with gold pendants set, with pearls in their ears, the chief Merchants cover part of their bodies with a red or yellow scarf, which they throw over their shoulders, and wear Baboaches, which are a sort of shoes, never going barefoot like the rest, and are followed by several Servants, who carry their Parasols or Unbrellas.  
The Women are generally little, and inclined to love; they are girded with a calico scarf, one end of which crossing their shoulders, covers their breasts: they gather their hair about their heads, and knot it about their Ears, which are loaded with gold Rings.  
They are as fond too of adorning their arms and legs with bracelets; and wear gold rings on their toes as well as their fingers, and add to these, odd bizarre ornaments, another of making holes in their Nostrils, where they hang a ring of gold or any other mettle which is their greatest pride.   

CHAP. XXV.  
An ample Description of the different sects, manners and religions of the Inhabitants of Pontichery.  
I Have yet spoke only of the best sort in general, of whom there are several different in this Town; as the Moors, the Faquiras, the Brames, the heathen Malebars and Christian Malebars, the Talingars, the Marchois, and Barias.  
They are as so many several Tribes, who never intermarry, and whose Manners and Religions differ from the Marquoise and the Parias' the meanest and the basest, of them all; their Habitations are separated from the rest; they go barefoot, wearing only a bit of linen just to cover their nakedness, the Marquoises follow fishing for the most part, and wear rush bonnets like mitres, they make use of Chelingues, and Catamarans, and eat any thing that's offered them. The Parias are shoemakers, and the most infamous of all, the nastiest in their way of living, and eat the bodies of dead creatures tho' they died of sickness, not sparing the rotten stinking guts, and are very vile and miserable, but the Brames and the Faquers are those who are most esteemed.  
The Brames are the Gentlemen, and only they are permitted to wear silk strings in bandeliers, and three lines on their faces, two white, and one red in the middle; their heads are shaved, except a tufft which they leave on the top, they wear Muslin turbans, and commonly shirts of the same, with a delicate calico, to touch which is a crime that deserves punishment amongst them.  
So that a French man one day ignorantly touching one that belonged to a Brame, who was bathing himself, they came to the Fort in crowds to complain of him to Monsieur Martin, and to demand him in order to have justice done on him, they pretended he was burnt, so they were obliged to hide him, and after often remonstrating to them, that what he had done, was out of ignorance not disrespect, they were at last appeased; they eat nothing that has life, neither flesh nor fish, nor so much as eggs, living on rice, Milk, Roots, and the like. They won't be so much as seen eating, and are so jealous of their honour, that they think it a great disgrace to enter into the house of a mean person.  
These Brames, as all the rest, have a great Veneration for cows, and will not on any account suffer them to be killed; being so useful to mankind by their work and labour; and when our men kill any, they are forced to do it in private, for fear of provoking these Idolaters, who on the tenth of Jan. the first day of their year, celebrate a feast in honour of them.  
On these days after feasting themselves they lead all the cows and oxen into a lake, where they wash them by the sound of drums and the trumpets, and paint their foreheads and horns; after which they lead them to a public place, and each holding a nosegay in his hand, they dance round casting water on them, and often prostrating themselves on the Ground the Brames direct these ceremonies; and glory in being the most zealous observers of these sort of superstitions. And are the instructors of others.  
The name of their Idol is Ram, and when they salute any one with respect, they call him by that name. For they not only worship this supposed Divinity, but the rest of the Statues, which they believe serve him; they carry them about on solemn days; some have eight and some four heads on a body, sitting on a bird, that holds a serpent in his Beeck.  
Others squatting on their tails like Monkeys, have the head of an Elephant, and belly of a woman; they pray to them often, and are careful of washing their heads with Coco water, and rubbing the rest of their bodies with oil.  
If you inquire into the reason of their senseless Superstitions and ridiculous follies they readily answer, that they received them from their Ancestors, in whose Example they Glory in, without the least desire of being better informed.  
The Faquirs of Ponticheri, as at other places, are persons of no certain body, who wander up and down doing penance, and that little clothing they wear is so wretchedly poor, they vow chastity, and voluntary poverty, and when Alms is denied them, they wound themselves, to move compassion.  
As for the first Vow of Chastity, they have little pretence to it, and the very opinion the people have of their sanctity, is the occasion of the most loathsome obscenities in the Female Sex.  
However these Faquirs impose penances on themselves, which they inviolably observe as long as they live, viz. as to have both their arms always raised above their heads, one foot constantly lifted up, and a great many other painful postures, which they continue in to their deaths. I saw one with his head in an Iron cage, which he carried night and day on his shoulders, eating through the bars; these wretches, as well as others, paint their bodies and faces of a great many different colours, which makes them look dismally.  
Tho' their superstitious Rites are for the most part the same, yet they worship a great many several false Gods, as Trees, Rivers, the Sun and Moon, etc. In an Eclipse they meet by the sea side, crying out hideously to the noise of some instruments of brass, bathing themselves, and believing that as they wash themselves, they clear and brighten the eclipsed planet. They burn the bodies of the dead, and before the French settled at Ponticheri, these men's wives in proof of their conjugal love and fidelity, burned themselves alive with the corpse of their deceased husbands; but we afterwards changed this custom amongst them, and indeed 'twas no very difficult matter to persuade them to it, being ready enough to embrace an opportunity of being released.  
When any one dies, they carry the Corpse on a Beer, covered with calico, and strowed round with Bannany Leaves, to the Place where it is to be burnt; attended with a Mournful sound of Trumpets, their Relations meeting them by the way crying out, aloud Apa, which is as much as to say, Father; Jumping and beating their breasts with so much Violence, that they often faint away in the Ceremony, while the rest of his kindred stay behind to comfort his Children, etc.  
When they are near the funeral pile, they set down the Beer, to change the situation of the body; placing the head where the feet were; after which, one of the company, who never ceased crying all the way, having washed his hands, lays three small quantities of Rice on the Funeral pile; and taking four little pieces of wood, and putting one on each hand, a third at his feet, and a fourth at his head: He afterwards makes three holes in a pot full of water, and sprinkles round the corpse three times. When they presently take it up, and carry it to the place where it is designed to be burnt.  
Then they lay it on the Funeral pile, the face to the wood, and the legs crossed under the belly, and after covering it with straw and cow's dung, which they spread over it very neatly, they set fire to it; blowing the Trumpet till the Corpse is quite consumed; and the pots in which the water and Rice was carried, they beat to powder with sticks.  
But if the Corpse is to be interred, the grave is made with steps to go down, and a rising at the bottom, on which it is seated cross legged; the relations strew flowers and ashes on't, and then cover it with earth.  
The Mallebar Christians have built a fine vaulted Church, in which the Missionaries of Ponticheri commonly officiate, and where the Jesuits say Mass; I have seen the Negroes so devout, that it very much edified me to see their Zeal to be so solemn and pure.  
Flesh is very little used amongst these people, particularly here; where they live wholly on rice and fish; they won't eat or drink after an European; much less taste of what he has dressed, These Malabars may marry at the age of four or five, but then they are separated again till eleven or twelve; when they are permitted to dwell together.  
While I was a shore the marriage of a rich merchant, who served the Company, was sollemm'zd, and after this manner; two Bambouss were placed at each corner of the Fort, encompassed of the out side with fireworks; in the evening he came fourth, according to custom with his wife, in a rich Palanquin, carried by twelve Negroes, preceded by two hundred Flamboys ranked in very good order; their nearest Relations accompanied them a horseback, and of all sides was continually heard the confused noise of Fifes, drums and Kettledrums; ten or twelve dancers richly dressed followed them, dancing from space to space to the sound of little bells; and when the married persons passed before the Bambouss that were prepared, the fire works were lighted, which were so intermixed with Petards and Muskets, that they made them entertaining enough.  
This Solemnity having lasted a good part of the night, they regaild themselves with Bethel, Chocolet, Bannanes, and made themselves drunk with Rack, which is stronger than Aquavitae, and very much in use amongst the Indians, as is Bethel, a leaf very like the Ivy, which they eat, after spreading a little Lime on't, made red with ginger, leapt up in a piece of Raique resembling Musk; this is of an excellent taste and smell, and serves to redden the lips, and sweeten the breath.  
The women, for the most part, all along the coast are hard favoured, and go barefoot and bareheaded like the men, from whom 'tis difficult to distinguish them; only for a piece of cotton cloth which covers them from the navel to the knee; they wear their hair lank, very much oiled and greased, with holes in their ears, that an egg would almost pass throw; and black lank breasts, with nipples almost as big as an Apple; they carry their children on their hips, their legs dangling on each side. I have seen of them that were not above four months' old creeping on the sand on all four, and muddling like Ducks in the water.  
They smoke perpetually, and without scruple indulge themselves in the vilest lusts, and so readily prostitute their Bodies on all occasions, that their lusts exceed all other qualifications.   

CHAP. XXVI.  
The French Spuadron sails, to fight fourteen Dutch and English ships that lay under the fort of Madras.  
IN the mean time our Ships took in fresh water, and debarked what was to be left at Ponticheri; and amongst the rest four Brass Guns, of 18 pounders, to strengthen the Fort, the biggest of those it had before, being but Twelve; and while we were refreshing ourselves after our long fatigues, the Commandant understood by a Letter of Monsieur Martin's, that there were fourteen Dutch and English ships ac Madras, who expected us there, with a Resolution of fight us.  
He accordingly took the best measures he could, and prepared to fight them: Omitting nothing that might prove advantageous for the attack: And thereupon he presently ordered us to turn that little vessel we had taken off of the Isle of Ceylon into a Fire ship, and to unring the Dutch Pink, which after Monsieur Poureire had taken her top mast, and placed it in the room of his own which was split in the Action at Amjovam, we left her naked at Ponticheri; from whence we departed the 24th. of August at two in the afternoon, carrying the Captain and Lieutenant along with us prisoners.  
In about an hours space, we saw Conjumelle, a place situated by the sea side, the sweetest on all the coast; the Dutch having a Factory, hung out a flag there.  
The wind blowing fresh in the evening, we took in some sail for fear of coming to Madras in the night; the passage from Ponticheri thither, not being above 20 Leagues: so sailing gently the rest of the night, we discovered a ship a head of us, which hoist sail as soon as ever she saw us; we took it for granted she was a stout ship, sent out by the Enemy to observe us.  
So we presently brought down our hammocks, having put all the chests in the hole, since our departure; so that in less than half an hour we were fitted for the fight, which we the more eagerly desired, because it was St. Lewis' day.  
And now we perceived the ships, which seemed to us to be ranged in a line under the Cannon of Fort St. George; which is a strong and noble one, hanging out English colours; we had Mass said betimes, then took a short breakfast, and after hoisting the white Flag, and adorning the ships, and the round tops with Flower deluceed shields, we made all the sail we could, till we came over against St. Thomas', a Town belonging to the Portuguese, 2 Leagues from Madras, where formerly stood the noblest Fort of the Country.  
This place is remarkable for the Martyrdom of St. Thomas the Apostle, who suffered here; his Sepulchre is this day to be seen on a rising ground hard by the Town; the shore was covered with people, who came to be spectators of the action that was like to ensue.   

CHAP. XXVII.  
Combat of Madras.  
WE now perfectly discovered the number of the Enemy's ships, and their strength; I counted fourteen, of which only eleven carried Guns; that is, six Dutch, with their Admiral, which seemed to carry 60 guns, with a flag on the main top mast; and five English, of which the Admiral, who was 60 guns too, had a flag also on the main top.  
Monsieur Duquesne, observing the greatest of them anchor next to us, and that the rest lay between them and the Fort, hung out a flame of Orders, to command the several Captains aboard, to concert the manner of the attack, and to gain the wind.  
'Tis indeed convenient, that the Lion and the Dragon should coast it from St. Thomas' to gain the wind, and throw out a small anchor by the sides of the lesser ships, that the others followed by the Rock, the Flourishing, and the Bird, should attack the rest; and that while we fired on the Dutch Admiral, which was our part, Monsieur d' Auberville should endeavour to approach it with his fire ship by the favour of the smoke. These orders given, each took his post immediately to execute them.  
Never mwn more heartily desired to come to action than ours, and we had reason to expect an answerable success, and by the manner of our falling on, our thoughts ran more on a certain Victory, than an uncertain fight. The Lion and the Dragon who made all the sail they could, were presently within shot of the Fort, which began to fire upon them; yet notwithstanding they passed by with little or no damage; and according to orders, came and anchored over against the ships they intended, and fired furiously upon them. It might now be about One in the afternoon, and we followed them so close, that the enemy had scarce answered them again, when we came up with the Dutch Admiral, and gave her a broad side.  
'Tis not very common to see six such ships as ours attack eleven large ones, and to bear all their fire, and that of a strong fort too; the least of whose guns were twenty four and thirty six pounders, and indeed the fire was so terrible of both sides, that nothing was to be seen but fire, smoke and ball.  
'Twas then that Monsieur d' Auberville disdaining danger, in the midst of that shower of Ball, attempted to fire the Dutch Admiral; who seeing a fire ship coming towards him, in vain endeavoured to avoid it; Monsieur d' Auberville showed great courage and conduct in this undertaking; so having quickly fastened the fireship to the Admiral, with chains and grapples, and set fire to it, he leapt into the boat, which returned safe to his ship, in spite of all the fire of the enemy.  
All expected that this undertaking would have had the greatest succss, and that the Admiral could not escape being burnt; nay, the Dutch themselves were of that opinion, for they presently quitted her, and got into 2 boats to make off. But unhappily the grapples (being only made of hoops) breaking, she fell off, and Drove ashore, consuming none but herself, which the Dutch observing, they with great joy returned aboard again, from whence they fired as before: The fight still continued with great obstinacy, till 5 in the evening; when the Commandant gave orders to cease firing. We had not a man killed, except a Valet of a Mandarin, whose bowels were carried away with a Cannon ball; But we suffered more in our masts, which was partly the reason we quitted them so soon.   

CHAP. XXVIII.  
After the fight, we took and burnt an English ship in the face of the enemy.  
HAving anchored about a quarter of a League distant, where we passed the rest of the day in refitting; between ten and eleven in the evening we had a false alarm in our Squadron, I don't know how; a sloop that in all probability knew not what had passed, came directly to the Dragon; the seamen on the watch discovering her, fired at her which made her retire presently; however this alarmed the whole squadron, which immediately had orders to be in a readiness, and to keep a strict Guard all night, for fear of a surprise, tho' the contrary winds, and the disposition of the enemy was a sufficient security against it.  
But in affairs of war one can't be too vigilant; for then, whatever harm happens, it cannot be imputed to folly or neglect, however this unaccountable trifle of a sloop disturbed us all, and deprived us of our rest that night.  
Next morning we saw the ships lying nearer the Fort, and ranged in a better line than they were before. We than perceived our oversight in not boarding them to rights at first, by the much greater difficulty of attacking them a second time; they had now placed themselves at such a distance from each other, that the Fort might fire at us, without hurting them; a piece of management they had neglected the day before.  
Considering the difficulty of a second attempt, and the uncertainty of succeeding, we resolved to pursue our course, tho' with an easy sail, that we might give them time to folus, if they thought they could make any thing of it, but there appeared not the least disposition in them; on the contrary they fired several guns for joy that they had escaped us so cheap; but we understood afterwards that they buried some Officers, who were killed in this action.  
However we still pursued our course under a slack sail, eyeing a vessel we discovered at anchor two Leagues before us. The Bird, which kept a head of the Squadron approached within shot of her, and sent in his sloop armed, with an Officer; who found nothing in her but such trifling things as the English had not time to take away, we left some men to sail her, but she proved so slow, that we chose rather to set her a fire than to be troubled with her, which he did, (after taking out of her whatever might be of any use) not far from a Dutch Factory, named Pailliacat, and in the sight of the enemy.   

CHAP. XXIX.  
An English Vessel chaste, and run aground.  
WE afterwards launched out into the Ocean, and by that means lost the sight of Masilipatam, where they make the finest painted Calico's in all the Indies, and the most valued in Europe; after some days, having regained the Coast, the 30th of August, in the morning we perceived a Vessel near the shore without a Topmast; tho' we made towards her with Dutch colours, yet she hung out none, and we observed that she had not so much as a flag staff, which made us believe she was a Moor, and Monsieur Duquesne being farther convinced of it by her building presently tacked about, and stood away.  
Next day, being the last of this month, we discovered another about three in the afternoon, which presently hoist sail, and fired several Guns at her departure, we presently made all the sail we could after her, and gave the chase signal to the Lion, and the Dragon, who gaining the wind, got between her and the shore, to prevent her running herself a ground; the rest of us kept under the wind to intercept her course; but notwithstanding she being far a head of us, and making all the sail she could, ran herself aground at a place called Cangam, near a River which bears that name, before we could come within shot of her.  
It was now too late to attack her, or so much as to perceive how she lay; in this uncertainty we anchored so, that she could not escape us without being seen, and in the Morning, Monsieur Duquesne scent Monsieur de la Neufville, second Captain of the Bird, to view her with all the sloops.  
This little Squadron of armed sloops, as is necessary on such an Expedition, quickly reached the place, where that change of waters is observed, which is caused in the sea by the overflowing of this River; we now began to sound; by reason of a vast number of little rocks that lay under water here abouts, beyond which this ship had run herself aground; we went two fathom and a half water, without being able to come near her; so that we could not immagin, how 'twas possible for the Vessel to get so far in.  
About a quarter of an hour after, we saw a topmast floating on the side of the ebb, with seven seamen clinging to it, who were half drowned, and who by signs, of Crosses, desired us to save them; Monsieur de la Neufville going towards them took them up in his boat, where they no sooner were, but the seamen fell a rifling these miserable people, for the money they had hid in the waste bands of their breeches. They were, Portugese, who informed us, that 'twas an English ship of 36 guns coming from Massilipatam, that from the time she was run aground, the Captain debarkt with 40000 Roupies in silver, which is 20000 crowns French, and her richest lading that could be best carried off: That the English, who were but fifteen, saved themselves a shore, except two or three, whom we saw on the deck; adding also, that they themselves had made the same shift, in order or get a shore, but the tide of ebb instead of landing them, carried them farther out to Sea.  
We saw her struck at one end, and so we judged, there could not be above three foot water where she was; the vast surges that roll all along on this coast, went over her stern, so that in the condition she lay, there seemed to be little likely hood of getting her off, but by pieces. They asked the Portuguess if the sloops could come at her without danger, they answered, that we must steer directly towards her Stern, But Monsieur de la Neufelle not judging it so easy a matter, resolved to run no such hazards on the bare word of Strangers, in an enterprise, which in the opinion of every one, would have succeeded better than he expected.  
The Negroes appeared thick on the shore, to see what we would do; both the English and they expected to see the ship pillaged or burnt; but they were not a little pleased with their mistake, when they saw our sloops tacking and going off again, accompanied with great rains. We were afterwards informed that there was aboard a great deal of Scarlet cloth, and Masslipatam Calico's, so that we lost a considerable booty.   

CHAP. XXX.  
Two English ships richly laden escape our Squadron, which anchors before Balazor. Our Admiral happily avoids being burnt.  
THE calm hindered our departure this day, but the next being the 2d. of Sep. we sailed with a fresh gale that just began to blow. The two following days we discovered another ship, and presently made what sail we could after her; sometimes, she made towards the land, as if she intended to run a shoat; then she would tack, and stand out to sea, as if she did not know what course to take. At last seeing the Lion and the Dragon ready to come up with her, after some hours chase, she struck her topmast, which she would have hoist again immediately; the Dragon hanging out a white flag, fired a gun at her, which obliged her to lie by, till the Admiral came up.  
She proved a Moorish ship, bound from the Maldive Islands, laden with Coris', which are certain shells that pass for small money at several places, as Bengale, Siam and Guinne. We sailed together almost to Balazor, where we arrived later than we expected, by reason of the calms we met; however on the seventh we came in sight of it at 4 in the evening.  
Two English Vessels which lay in the road as soon as ever they saw us at a distance, presently hoist sail; thinking it better to quit the place than to expect us, tho' they were secure enough; the Great Mogul on whom this Country is dependant, suffering no vessel to be attacked in 8 fathom water. They made towards the mouth of the Ganges, to anchor at a good distance from us; expecting as they said, a Convoy of twelve ships, because they were richly laden with Coupans and gold ingots from Japan; but we had the wind so scanty, that they could hardly fly, or we pursue, but we observed we were the better sailors, for when they came to an anchor, we were within two cables length of them.  
The Commandant ordered three guns to be fired, to give the Director of the French Factory notice of our arrival, and sent his sloop to Balazor next day for fresh provisions, which did not return again in three days, being no less than seven Leagues by Land. Monsieur Pele the Director, and several other Merchants came aboard, who brought two ships laden with provisions with them, which by reason of the wind, were obliged to anchor at two League's distance from us till it changed, but there appearing no likely hood of it, we went and joined them.  
He received us with a flag, and one of them saluted us with seven guns. The fresh provisions were distributed amongst the ships of the Squadron, of which we stood in great need, for we were half famished. Monsieur Duquesne writ to Monsieur Deslandes, Director general, who commonly resides at Ugly, a Town situated on the bank of the Ganges, fifty Leagues from Balazor; to make ready two thousand sacks of Biscuit, with the Merchandise that was to be transported to France against the 15th. of December, when he expected to return.  
The same day about two in the afternoon, we had the saddest alarm that could happen aboard, a fire began in the Lion's room through the negligence of the Mate, but the Countermaster happening by good providence to be a sleep there, suddenly waked and cried Fire, every one scared and alarmed, run to draw water, and to wet linen clothes to extinguish it; it had already reached the cable room, but we followed it so close, and took such care, that it did little damage.  
About three days before, and I know not for what reason, (which ought to make us admire and thank the Divine Providence the more) we removed the powder out of the Lions hold, (which is put there in times of action,) and that very happily; for if it had continued there, the forecastle blowing up; we should have had but little time to have saved ourselves in the sloop.   

CHAP. XXXI.  
The Squadron leaves Balazor for Mergui, which we could not gain; is dispersed by a storm, and suffers extremely.  
THE 13th. of September we parted from Balazor for Mergui, we had little wind that day, and a calm at night; so that after having several times weighed and cast anchor in vain, we were forced to make use of the Currents, and to drive with the tide when it served us.  
On the 18th. at night there happened an Eclipse of the Moon, which lasted from seven, till thirty Minutes past nine, a third part was darkened; I believe neither this nor that I mentioned before, were seen in France; for 'twas about two in the afternoon when we saw it there.  
Till this day we were still troubled with weighing and casting anchor continually: The 29th. in the evening this long calm changed into a violent storm, that after losing two anchors we were obliged to hoist sail tho' the wind was against us; the storm increased so, that about midnight we thought we should a lost all our Masts.  
In the morning we saw none of our ships but the Bird, the tempest having separated the rest. The Rendezvous was to be at Negraille, in case we could not make Mergui our port, for which, the wind was quite contrary, and so violently accompanied with hail, that we `struck our top sails three or four times a day; being fearful we should want water if this weather lasted, and tho' we had supplied ourselves for six months at Ponticheri, we had so wasted it, that we had not enough for one month. Monsieur Duquesne began to manage it with care retrenching the Rice, which consumed a great deal of it, and ordered Biscuit in its place, and stinted the whole Company to a pint a day.  
I never was more sensible of the violence of thirst; the salt Victuals, and the Extreme heats had almost parched me up, once in the extremity of this suffering, I offered five Crowns for a pot of water, but could find none that would accept of it, each labouring under the same evil, so that there was no remedy but patience, which is but a small relief to him that is stinted by nature.  
At length the wind changed, and continued good for five or six days, in which we recovered what we had lost of our way; But it becoming changeable again, we sailed sometimes losing, sometimes gaining, without hopes of seeing Mergui so soon as we expected, which very much afflicted us.  
The last of September in the morning, we discovered a sail a head of us, steering the same course; we made what haste we could to know what she was, and after three hours' chase, we came within shot of her, who hung out a flag all red; we hung out ours, which they saluted by hoisting their topmast three times for want of guns. Monsieur Duquesne sent his sloop to bring the Captain aboard, who showed him a Passport signed by Monsieur Martin; he was accompanied by three old men like himself, clad in Muslin Shirts, and Turbans on their heads, and each a long beard, they were rich Moorish Merchants, bound from Massilipatam for Mergui: they had a flag all red by way of distinction, and to show they were more than ordinary; for the common flag of the Moors, is no more than a scimitar crossed with its scabbard on a red ground. We regaled them with wine, Tea, and sweetmeats, and after viewing exactly and admiring our ship, they departed without selling any of their goods, which they held at too dear a rate. Next day we lost sight of them.  
The fifth of October, discovering another ship we steered towards her for some time, believing she was one of our Squadron, of whom as yet we had heard no news since we were separated at Balazor; but as she made off with all the sail she could, and that 'twould have carried us too far out of our way to have pursued the Chase, we quitted her, to make our best advantage of the little wind we had; it never was so changeable, for if it favoured us for a day, 'twas a calm again at night, or perhaps contrary for four or five days after; in the mean time the water in the hold was very much diminished, and our thirst increased more and more with that little we drank of it at meals, and the violent heats.   

CHAP. XXXII.  
A wonderful shower of rain falls: We discover the Isle of the Andamants, a barbarous people.  
GOD who never abandons his own in such extremities as there showed us in some measure the same favour he formerly did the Isralites in the wilderness; and by a large and unexpected shower of rain, which supplied us all with the means of quenching our violent thirst, that tormented us so much.  
How eagerly did all endeavour to taste of this celestial Manna, every one, sought vessels and all other shifts to save as much as they could, and then with what greediness did they drink it, I am sure no Champaign wine ever drunk like it to me; we filled 27 barrels with this water, which refreshed us very much in the midst of our distress, not so much as knowing where we were.  
We continued a long time in this uncertainty, but having at last a good wind, we judged by the Latitude, that we were not far from the Andamants, nor by consequence from the Coco Islands, which are but ten Leagues thence; which was the reason we lay by every night, or five or six hours together, for fear of running upon them.  
The 12th. of October before sun rise, we discovered the Isles of the Andamants, which we left on the right, lying in 13 Deg. 40 Minutes North Lat. and a hundred and 16 Deg. forty nine Minutes Long. the Inhabitants are the most cruel and savage in the world, they neither trade nor correspond with any other whatsoever, not so much as suffer any to land upon their coast, and if by Chance they are so unhappy as to be driven upon't: these Barbarous savages immediately kill them, and dress them for food.   

CHAP. XXXIII.  
The great straits that Monsieur Duquesne was in for want of water, makes him anchor at the great Isle of COCOS.  
AN hour after discovering the Isles of the Andamants we saw those of the Cocoes, which we endeavoured to gain, that we might take in water at any rate: We had the wind almost quite against us, but in such extremities as these, the utmost was to be tried, for fear of missing them, and tho' they were in sight of us, yet we several times lost hopes of gaining them, in the mean time we tacked so often, that on Sunday the 15th. at 3 in the afternoon we anchored on a little Island which lay Southeast and by South of us, bordering to the South East of all the rest, but placed wrong in the Card. We observed it to lie in 14 Deg. N. L. of one side; at about two League's distance from it there is larger Islands, which lay to the East of us.  
The Commandant sent the sloop armed a shore, in case they should hinder their landing; but none opposing it, they ransacked the whole Island with all the eagerness and nicety, as such violent thirst could inspire them with, without being able to discover spring or river, and consequently any Inhabitants; they passed the night easy enough, by reason of the abundance of Cocos they met with, which supplied the defect of water, of which they brought us the boat full next day, and two Lizards of a prodigious length, with three Tortoises, one of which was big enough two make two meals for the whole Crew; but as it was not that we wanted most, Monsieur Duquesne sent the sloop presently to the other Island, ordering the Officer if he met with water, to give notice of it by a signal of two fires.  
The Bird which could not get so near the wind as we, lay at a Loof, and therefore could not come at an anchor with us, till four in the afternoon, in the morning Chavilier Dair came aboard us, as well to know our necessities, as to inform us of his own; for he told us we wanted not only Water, but meat for his Table. Monsieur Duquesne reflecting on the miserable condition the last Tempest had brought them too, the Dangers they had run, and those they should be exposed too, in case they attempted to gain Merguy while the wind was contrary: He resolved therefore, in case there was no Water in that great Island, to Steer his course directly to Negraille, it being a place designed for our Rendezvous, and winter Quarters, if we were not able to reach Merguy, or force the Siamoi's to entertain us.  
About Two in the afternoon, we saw the sloop returning, and presently we hoist sail and met her, in order to take our measures, according to the news she brought us; which indeed was such, as could not be more Welcome than in our present distress: Our Company was all on the Deck to see the sloop returning loaden, tho' yet uncertain with what, shouted for joy; they asked what she brought, and being answered, Water, at that word immediately all our trouble were dispersed, by this pleasing draught, of which we drunk unmeasurably; and then anchored with satisfaction near the great Isle, about a League from Land.   

CHAP. XXXIV.  
WE would not lose a moment of time in going a shower; where we loaded fifty tun of water and wood, tho' not without great toil, by reason of the landing, which is very troublesome at low water. The sloops being obliged to anchor at large, we were forced to go up to the Neck in the Water, to get a shore; by reason of the vast number of small Rocks that environ this Isle.  
They who admire shellwork, may glut their fancy here; for the strand is covered o'er with the most beautiful shells that can be seen. The Island produces no palatable fruit but Cocos, the vast plenty of which was very beneficial to me, and some others, whose curiosity had obliged us to lie in a part of the Island where there is no sweet Water to be had; we kindled a great fire, and past the whole night by it, eating and drinking Cocos; not being able to sleep, by reason of the Maraingevins, that continually stung us; they are little flies, like those they call Cousins in France; But much more troublesome and pernicious, they appearing only in the night.  
Every one will justly wonder, that the same fruit should yield both heat and drink, yet such is the Coco; the tree is lofty, Crooked at the Foot like the Pinetree, its branches are gathered at top; the fruit is commonly as big as one's head, the bark being so exceeding thick, you cannot find the Coco till you have stripped it, at the end there's a hole, which you no sooner touch with your knife but there spurts out a clear water, very sweet, and refreshing; they are of a small size in this Island, but I remember at Moelly they were so large, that three of us could scarce deal with one of them: You must split the Coco to get at the Kernel, which is white and about the thickness of your finger, and tastes almost like a hazelnut; of all fruits this is perhaps the most useful; the Indians besides meat and drink, draw a certain oil from it, into which the Water turns after it has stood sometime; they make bowls, and cups, of the shells and ropes, and Tow of the bark, to bind and caulk their boats with.  
This Island is nothing near so steep as others I have seen, but then 'tis so wooded with high trees, that it is one impenetrable forest all over; besides a great many curious and unknown birds, we saw Lizards of 5 or 6 foot long, and as thick as a Man's leg; whose deep mouths were set with teeth as dangerous, as their claws are with talons, however they fled at the sight of us, and do no harm if not attacked; their flesh is wonderful white, and some of our men eat of it, and found it good.  
It is stocked with different sorts of Infects; amongst the rest there's one very little Animal which seems to be all legs, very remarkable by their various colours, and a pretty shell on their backs. There's another creature of the shape of a serpent, which I have often heard cry distinctly in the trees; Tocquets, so being ignorant of its other Qualities, we called it by that name, as none of us saw any Fallow Deer while we were here, I believe the place is scarce fit for them, and much less for the habitations of men, for I believe it never was inhabited. 'Tis true, that in the Eastern part of the Isle, I observed two little hills, whose seeming fertility, together with the beautiful verdure of a Meadow at the bottom, inclined me to believe there might be some cattle feeding thereabouts, tho' I saw none,  
We arrived here Tuesday the 17th. and departed Saturday the 21st. of Octtober at 8 in the morning for Negraile, or rather for Mergui, if the wind permitted, which blew very faint, so that 'twas the day following before we reached a certain Island that lies ten Leagues distant from the Cocos, and in 14 D. N. 50 Min. Lat. it has a chain of rocks that runs a matter of three Leagues out into the sea. Sailing pretty near it, we left it to the Southward of us.   

CHAP. XXXV.  
Monsieur Duquesne quits his design of going to Merguy, by reason of the contrary winds; and anchors at the Negraille Islands, where he meets the rest of his Squadron.  
HEre Monsieur Duquesne lost hopes of gaining Merguy, and without striving any longer to come near the wind, resolved to go to Negraille, whether we presently steered our course; the 24th. we discovered the land of Pegu, and we anchored in ten fathom water, though we were above 8 Leagues from it, sailing again next morning: About 4 in the afternoon we understood that there lay four ships at anchor between the great and the little Island of Negraille, which we made no doubt were our own. Who had stood in to that place.  
So the Commandant having given them the signal of knowledge, in setting his Top-gallant in the form as a banner, they answered him with the same signal, and sent their sloop to us, which could not get aboard us; so night coming on, together with the danger of the banks, that are very shallow in divers places, obliged us to anchor again over against the Diamond, a little Island 3 Leagues from Negraille, which we left to the right when we came to an anchor.  
This next day, being the 26th. we continued still at anchor waiting for the tide, when about eleven we saw a ship, which after having doubled the most northerly point of the great Isle, came and anchored within half a League of us; we commanded the Capt. aboard, who was a Portuguese, bound from Madras, where he was an eye witness of the action we were engaged in. He told us the news of the English Admirals having lost his nose by the bursting of a gun, and that the Dutch had no less than two hundred men killed, which are not stories like those the enemy published after our departure from Madras, and spread over all the Indies; of the falseness of which I shall hereafter give you an account.  
This evening three sloops having observed our ship, we entered by the favour of the tide, amongst the rest, where we anchored within musket shot of two lands; we debarkt five or six sick men on the little Island, and built two Tents for them on a lovely and spacious plain, that presents itself to our sight at landing. We lay 8 days there, feasting on Venison, and Wild-boar, and very large Tortoises, which we took on the Isle of Diamonds, with which the whole Company feasted themselves twice a day, for all had free leave to go a shore, not excepting the very prisoners.   

CHAP. XXXVI.  
The Squadron lying at anchor, Monsieur Duquesne orders five armed sloops to chase an English ship; who carried out to sea by the winds, were like to have been lost. The Death of Monsieur de la Villauclers, Lieutenant of the Bird.  
THat we might the better forget our past Misfortunes, Monsieur Duquesne, according to his usual goodness, furnished us with Fusees, powder and ball, to go and shoot some Fallow-Deer; of which there were large numbers in this Island; our ship was already on the bar, when news was brought, that an English ship was arrived at the point of the great Isle; none of the Squadron being in a condition to go out after her; he sent out five armed sloops, under the command of Monsieur Neufeville; as soon as the English saw them, they made full sail; however they came within Musket shot of them, and fired at one another; but the wind rising, and the enemy making off, Monsieur Neufeville was obliged to tack about; the wind and Tide which still increased, drove our sloops a matter of 7 or 8 Leagues out to sea, and in vain they endeavoured by rowing to recover the land; four of which with much a do returned back, after they had been the sport of the winds, and suffered extremely through hunger and thirst; having had no provisions with them.  
They could give us no account of the fifth, which was Monsieur Neufeville; I heard this sad news a shore, which troubled me the more, because there was a Lieutenant my very good friend aboard; we gave them for lost, but it pleased God, almost by a miracle, to restore 'em safe, about two days after, in which there were 25 men, so spent with toil and hunger, that they excited our compassion.  
About this time died Monsieur de la Villeau Clerk, Lieutenant of the Bird, died of a Fever: the greatest part of the Officers assisted at his Funeral, and we buried him in the plain with a discharge of seven great guns.   

CHAP. XXXVII.  
A Desceiption of the Islands of Negraille, and an account of what past while the Squadron lay at anchor there.  
NEgraille consists of two Islands about a Cannon shot distant from each other, and about 4 Leagues off from the Terra Firma of Pegu; one of which is three Leagues in compass, the other twelve; they are situated in 116. D. of Lon. and 15 D. N. Lat.  
'Tis strange that so convenient and happy a place, should only be inhabited by an innumerable number of wild beasts; as Tigers, Elephants, Wild Oxen, Staggs, and Wild-Boars, which live there undisturbed in the midst of the greatest plenty; no other Island is so stored with game, or has better hunting; besides the beasts I have named, which are seen in vast droves; there's plenty of Ringdoves, Woodcocks, Teal, Parrots, and an endless number of strange birds of divers kinds.  
The are Swans, Lizards, and Serpents of a great length, and a great number of Crocodiles, called Caymans', who in the day time hide themselves in rivers, the better to surprise the beasts when they come to drink; this subtle creature fastening on the nose of the Wild Oxen, draws them in, and after drownding them eats them.  
At the little Island where we took in Water and Wood, are seen two spacious and beautiful plains, covered with good feeding, in which the sight loses itself: Through the midst of it, a pleasant river takes its Course; whose Water is exceeding good, and easy to be come at; there we bathed ourselves almost every hour in the day, under the thick shady trees, and in large and greedy draughts, quenched the violence of our raging thirst.  
All this place is marshy, and in many places with salt water; yet in the woods there are places where they don't reach, and where there is sweet water always to be found; which the beasts drink of, who come thither in troops of a hundred at a time, and feed quietly together; without fear of being disturbed by the Huntsman.  
One of my companions and I going a hunting, we followed some Hearts and Hinds very warmly, which carried us further into the wood than we were aware of; so that after two hours' pursuit, being quite tired, and intending to return back again, 'twas more than we could do, to find our way, tho' we still flattered ourselves with hopes; but after long trying in vain, we at last began to despair, and almost to give ourselves for lost; being already overpowered with hunger thirst and weariness.  
We passed through a great many Thickets, the paths being only beaten by the wild beasts; the sight of whom diverted our melancholy wander in a desert Island, destitute of all Subsistance; exposed to Tigers, Wild-oxens and Serpents; in this sad condition, knowing not what to do, we addressed ourselves to God; and took observations of the Sun; Steering our course by it. So after much labour and fatigue, and beating about from four in the morning to 4 in the evening, we at length discovered the plain in which our Companions were encamped; from whence we went to our tent, rejoicing that we were not obliged to lie in the woods, that night.  
These two Isles differ but little, save only this, that the greatest, nourishes a great many Tigers, and greater variety of strange creatures than the less, where the conveniency of water, and the beautiful walks renders it very happy and proper for human habitation. The Hunters had so disturbed these wild Inhabitants, that the Oxen, whose calves, they every day killed; became so furious, that the Females ran at all they met.  
A Captain of the Marine's belonging to the Bird, being a hunting with 2 others, was set upon by one of these creatures; she broke his leg, and tore out his bowels, while he was climbing up a tree to save himself; this spectacle so frightened his companions, that instead of shooting at her, they fled and left him exposed to her fury; but however they went back afterwards and took him up half dead, bringing him to the Tent; whom we were obliged to leave at Pontichery, his wounds and bruises, not permitting him to return to France.   

CHAP. XXXVIII.  
The Squadron departs from Negraile for Balazor; hindered by calms; Monsieur Duquesne in vain endeavours to supply himself with fresh provisions at Cheduba.  
WHile we were taking in Water, and Wood, and other Necessaries for our departure, we saw a Vessel anchoring half a League off from the Diamond; Monsieur Duquesne taking notice of it, sent the Lion after her; who found she was a Portuguese catch, that came to take some Tortoises before she went to Pegu; the Dragon joined her a little after, so these two Frigates lay cruising out till the twelfth of November, when we sailed out from between the two Isles of Negraile, to be the readier to sail when the wind should present.  
We had no sooner anchored again over against the Diamond, but Monsieur Duquesne sent for the Captain of the catch aboard; he was a Genoese by nation, and 'twas from him we understood the enemy reported they had killed two hundred of us in the fight off Madras, and fourscore of our Officers, of whom were Monsieur Duquesne himself, and Father Tachard; whom we buried in the night at St. Thomas'; we were not a little surprised at this news, for what likelihood was there of Father Tachards being killed, who all the time of the fight was in the hold, and so could not be lost, unless the ship sunk; and how was it possible, for us to lose fourscore Officers out of thirty, which was the whole number we brought out of France.  
However a report attended with such particulars, did not fail to gain belief every where; and they managed it so, that at Ponticheri it passed for a certain, truth; and all along the coast, none known the contrary, but themselves; who were so far from believing it, that they could not conceal that they were more afraid of us than ever; the best part of them removing with their best effects from Madras, for fear we should return and make a descent: And this did not look like the security, and triumph of Victors.  
Yet this boasted Victory, served till our return, to conceal the disgrace of having eleven large ships, under the protection of a Fort, insulted by a Squadron of six; I can't imagine what people will think of them, when they see Monsieur Duquesne revived again, and the fourscore Officers raised from that dead; and our whole Company as Complete as before, excepting only four that were killed.  
Tuesday the fourteenth of November, having taken about fourscore Tortoises, we sailed for Balazor. That day a Seaman of Provence deserted us, who enraged, because he could not revenge himself for some hard usage he thought he had received from his Officers, remained at the great Isle of Negraille; whither we had sent the sloop in the morning to look for our men that had been a hunting since the day before; without taking any other provision, but a little Rack and some Biscuit in his Pocket, a hatchet, and three great nails; in all probability to make a Catamaron with, in which by the favour of the tide, he might gain the Country of Pegu, which was but four Leagues distant.  
Scarce had we lost sight of Negraile, but the little wind we had, turned into a downright calm; which lasted a long while, and was very Tiresome by reason of the violent heats, and a malignant Fever that began to spread amongst the Seamen; which we with reason attributed to the extraordinary fatigues they had gone through, and to the pestilential serenes of these Marshy Islands, which are damp, unwholesome Vapours rising after Sunset; and the whole Crew, that before enjoyed so perfect a health, became very much infected; so that Monsieur Duquesne through a necessity of being supplied with fresh provisions was obliged to stop at Cheduba, an Island in the Kingdom of Racam, situated in 18 Deg. 23 Min. N. L. and 115 D. 34 M. L. where we say for a while, and sent three sloops ashore.  
As soon as ever these fearful Islanders perceived them, they fled to the woods; there came a band of them afterwards to the sea side with Lances and Bows in their hands, making signs that we should not Land; notwithstanding which two of our men did, (and put them out of pain,) by letting them understand as well as they could the reason of it; but 'twas impossible to persuade these savages to supply us with any fresh provisions for our money, or by the way of exchange, tho' they had plenty of Fowl and cattle.  
They are of a swarthy complexion, and go naked; have very thick hair, and are taller than ordinary. 'Twas no small mortification to fail of being supplied with those Provisions and necessaries we expected to meet with here; our distemper increasing daily, and having scarce fresh provisions enough to serve the sick, the number of whom by this time amounted to 60, and 'twas not long before I was one of them, but was so happy as to have but six fits of the Fever.   

CHAP. XXXIX.  
The Squadron anchors before Balazor, where we supplied ourselves with fresh provisions, and took in Goods for France.  
WHatever care we could take to manage our fesh provisions, the number of the sick soon consumed them; so we were forced to have recourse to Monsieur Duquesne, who at the instance of Father Tachared stinted himself of his own, to supply them, who else had perished through Want.  
I can't hear omit the indefatigable pains this good Father took with them; he toiled with the Almoner from morning till night, visiting some, serving others, and administering the Sacraments to the dying, and performing the utmost that lay in his power. What the Commandant spared, proved but inconsiderable, when divided amongst fourscore sick persons, who yet were glad of it till they got to Balazor, to the sight of which we came the last of November in the morning; we sailed four days along the coast, and the banks of the Ganges, which is one of the four principal Rivers of the World; and on the third of December, we came to an anchor within three Leagues and a half of the Land, where after firing three guns of notice, as the first time, the Commandant sent Monsieur Fauche to give notice of his arrival.  
We presently prepared to set a shore at the mouth of the River, those, who had the disease of the Country, and to get fresh provisions aboard for the rest of the sick; the number of whom was too great to let the English know of it, who had a Factory too at Balazor, and might make their advantages of it.  
Monsieur Deslandes, Director general, arrived from Ugly. 2 days after; almost at the same time as the Mergui, an English built ship of 18 guns, with two others, that the French took from the Siamois, which were partly laden with Saltpetre, and some bales of goods, that were to be put aboard the Squadron; we unloaded 'em out of hand, and several other great Barks, who every day brought us the rest of the goods; while we were loading, Monsieur Deslandes continued a board us, whom the Commandant entertained very nobly, and honoured him several times with the discharge of guns, as well from his own ship, as the rest, who complimented him thus in their Turns.  
We were very ill furnished with fresh provisions here; the beef and mutton was mere carrion, so that two of the Captains who were careful of the health of their men, threw, what fell to their share overboard; I never saw any flesh so red, or so likely to procure a flux; however our Captain who did not much concern himself with such things, and the violence of hunger, made us digest them with rice, which was now our bread for four months.  
This fare was none of the best, and I longed to go to Balazor to mend my diet, but could not get leave, by reason that at our first landing there were some of the Seamen who got drunk with Aquavitae, and quarrelled with the English, one of whom they killed with a knife, which was the occasion of hindering the others going a shore, without so much as excepting some of us, who were not given to such kind of quarrels.  
The two Mandarins being gone to Balazor, to Inquire out a convenient passage to their Country, understood that them was a Moorish ship bound suddenly for Mergui, they agreed presently for their passage with the Captain, and afterwards came to take their leave of Monsieur Duquesne, and Father Tachard, who was glad to be rid of the burden; The Father who had them under his protection, and who was in honour obliged to see them used respectfully, having received them from the hand of the late King of Siam; procured from Monsieur Duquesne a Compliment, to dismiss them with five guns.  
We recommended to them the mierable state of the French who languished in their prisons, and Monsieur Chamoreau, Captain of the Lion, besought them in particular, in the behalf of a Brother of his, who was actually a prisoner there, tho' to be plain with them, I believe their interest was very inconsiderable: And if I may believe the account a Jesuit gave me of them, 'twould be as much as they could do to keep their own feet out of the fetters, when they came home.  
Father Duchast, whom a long Residence in Siam, had rendered him knowing in the Maxims and policies of this Nation, arrived at Ougli, and came to salute Father Tachard, and to put into his hands a great quantity of provisions, which the Jesuits of this Town sent to those of Ponticheri; after he had put them aboard us, he he returned very well pleased with his Voyage, and us too; for he was so civil as to let us have all the curious stuffs he had brought from Ugly at reasonable rates. Monsieur Vasseur, second Lieutenant of the Rock, dying next morning, we threw him into the sea, with 7 guns discharged for his Funeral.   

CHAP. XL.  
The Squadron parts from Balazor to return to Ponticheri, we found a great number of Moors there, who fled for refuge to the French.  
THe near approach of an ill Season; but chiefly the earnest desire of Monsieur Duquesne, to return to France, made us hasten our departure; after having taken in fresh Water, and all other supplies necessary for our Voyage, we commanded our sick aboard, whom the land Air had perfectly recovered. And on Saturday the 30th. of December, we parted with Monsieur Deslandes for Pontichery, being followed by the Company's boat loaden with powder and ball for the Fort.  
We took our course South East and by South, with a fresh gale, which soon turned into a calm; and lasted from the first, to the fifth of January, 1691. When it began to blow a fresh again; and on the tenth in the evening, we discovered the land of Madras; at which the Commandant lay by, for fear of passing beyond it in the night, resolving to stop there the next day, if he discovered any shipping, tho' the fright and consternation the enemy was in, gave us little ground to expect it; yet nevertheless we met one, whom the fort had no sooner warned of our arrival by six guns, but she fled; not believing it a sufficient protection.  
We followed her with all the sail we could make, and at last came up with her, notwithstanding she had been so far a head of us; about four in the afternoon seeing the Lion and the Dragon within shot of her, she run herself within a little bank at Sadraspatam, where her men presently went a shore. But in vain had she sought for safety there, if the sea, which was very ruff, had not hindered us from boarding her; yet we earnestly desired it, being ready to run any riskque in the pillaging and burning of her, but Monsieur Duquesne judging otherwise of it, pursued his Voyage, and this evening came to an anchor some Leagues beyond Madras, from whence we departed next morning being the twelfth, and arrived at Pontichery at one in the afternoon; the Fort saluted us with nine Guns, and we answered them with as many: Father Tachand went a shore presently, taking with him what he had aboard, intending to make his residence there.  
I could not imagine that the loss of his Reverence, could produce such different effects as it did; there were some who were very much afflicted at it▪ and a great many others, who of the contrary were very little concerned: and most of the Seamen, who are little versed in the merits, and worth of Men, were as insensible of the loss of him, as if they had never enjoyed the advantages of his company; however he wanted not the civility of seven Guns at his departure.  
The Public is like to be obliged to him for an account of his Voyage, which at parting he put into the hands of Monsieur Duquesne, to deliver it to the RR. FF. Jesuits, who were to see it printed, but it contains no return; I read nothing in it which I had not seen, and which I have not inserted in this; except a letter from one of their Fathers, who is at present in China; which contains a full account of the Revolution that happened at Siam, and this has very much enlarged his Relation.  
Since our departure from Pontichery, they had planted on the shore a new battery of eight Guns, 18 pounder each, being those we had brought from France; and we found above twenty thousand Negroes there, who had fled thither for refuge, under the French Pavilion, to avoid the Troops of the Great Mogul; who had besieged Gingy, the Caputal of the Prince of that Name.  
This is a very great Town, about fifteen Leagues up the land; the strongest, and the only one, able to resist the power of the Mogul; with whom this Prince has continual war: And whose Troops, tho' to the number of fourscore thousand, where, as they told us, shamefully obliged to quit the Siege, through the vigorous resistance of the Garrison and the Town, where the Prince of Gingy commanded in person.  
Two great Lords of the Country who where at Pontichery when we lay at anchor, had the curiosity to come and see our ship, accompanied with five and twenty servants, which they took out of above three hundred, that each of them had; we put all things in as good order as we could, and brought all our Company above Deck, the number of which they admired at; but the Sea incommoding them very much, and not being able to stand on the deck, they returned immediately; with a salute of 7 Guns and 7 vive le Roy's.   

CHAP. XLI.  
The Squadron leaves the Indies to return to France, passes the Line the third time, without any inconveniencies, in the 170 D. of Long. The beginning of our Navigation is happy.  
AFter we had taken some hogsheads of water aboard, and some other provisions we wanted; the Commandant took leave of Monsieur Martin, who saluted him from the Fort with three discharges of eleven Guns. That day we gave the parting Gun; so on Wednesday the ●4th: of January we sailed by four in the morning to quit the Indies for this time; and return to France; the wind was very favourable to us, and soon carried us a considerable distance, from a land, which we wished six thousand Leagues off us.  
It seemed to me as if this long Voyage we now entered on, would never be ended, and tho' we sailed ne'er so swiftly, and I had made the Voyage already, yet I fancied we should never come to the end of it: however we made such way, that February the 24th. 3 in the afternoon we passed the Line the third time, in 107 D. of Long. without any inconveniency of Calms or Heats. Such a happy beginning of a Voyage was no little comfort to us, and the hopes 'twould continue so, sweetened our toil, and made the time more pleasant than before.  
The 16th. We had the sun in our Zenith, that is, darting his Beams perpendicularly on us, casting no shadow, but on the contrary an excessive heat, which we were forced to bear, without so much as one drop of Water to refresh us between meals; this heat diminished insensibly as we departed from the Sun, and entered into cooler climates; which however did not hinder our experiencing great miseries and fatigues, and had we not been unaccustomed to 'em, should scarce have been able to have undergone 'em.  
The 25th. in the morning we passed the Tropic of Capricorn, and met with Blustering winds in these Latitudes, which forwarded us very much on way; but afterwards became so outrageous, that we could more willingly have embraced the most tiresome calm.   

CHAP. XLII.  
A dreadful tempest happens in the Height of Mascarin, which disperses the Squadron, and is in great danger of being lost.  
BEing now the time of Carnevall, Monsieur Duquesne was obliged to give us Wine, instead of Rack, which we had drunk for four Months before, at this time every one is desirous to far a little better than ordinary, but in vain did we attempt it at sea, where good cheer is generally scarce, but especially in such long Voyages as these; the Seamen danced Morning and Evening, and were very merry; which joined with the fair wind we had, served to lessen the time, which was more irksome to us, than any thing else.  
The Wind already blue so strong, that we sailed no less than 3 Leagues an hour; and increasing on Tuesday the 1st. of March, obliged us to furl all our Sails, except the foremast; and the air was so thick and Cloudy, that we could scarce discern from Ship to Ship, which proved but too Fatal an Omen, of that dreadful Tempest that ensued. Sure nothing could be more Frightful and amazing, than to see the air condensed, and our beloved Element representing a dismal scene of Death. The Winds spent their utmost rage, and seemed to groan beneath their Burden; while the yawning seas torn with their fury, eagerly desired to make a prey of us: Yet still kept us in suspense, even in the Arms of Death; about Four in the afternoon, the foremast sheet was blown to rags, and the vast noise and Universal rolling of the ship, filled us all with confusion and horror.  
And now being about 3000 Leagues from Land, we saw ourselves exposed to the outrageous Element; without sails, and destitute of all means that might tend to our safety. The vast prodigious waves no sooner rolled over our Decks, and filled our ship with water, but greater still returned, and seemed to sink us to the Bottom; so that sometimes we had scarce time to take breath, and hardly knew whether we were in the ship or the sea.  
In this miserable condition and approaching danger, every one plied the pump; and the short remainder of the day, we spent in fastening a spirit sail to the yard of the foremast sail, which we had no sooner done, but as an addition to our misery, a dismal shout was heard at the sight of one of our ships, which driven by the violence of the Storm, was just ready to run fowl of us, and split us both.  
All that's horrible and amazing in death; presented itself to our view; himself at the last moment of life, knew not what course to take, or what he should do to avoid it▪ we unfurled our two spritsails, which were no sooner lose, but the winds blew them into a thousand Shatters however they served to Clear us of the ship to which we so happily showed our lights▪ that hoisting her foremast sail she passed by, without damage on either side.  
In the midst of so many alarms and continual dangers, we passed the rest of night in pumping, and rummaging the inside of the ship, which was so wet that there was not a dry place to be found in't to lie down: Rivers of Water ran continually over the deck; the Boxes, chests, and all the hammocks were thrown down, and nothing was to be seen throughout the whole Vessel but the perfect picture of a shipwreck, to which the winds and Seas seemed to conspire; this night we had the the Jack Staff carried away by one single Wave.  
We waited for day Break with more impatience than our Friends for our Return▪ as tho' 'twould allay the storm, or rescue us from danger; at last it came, but alas it only served to give us a clearer sight of our Misery, so that Friday in the morning, the wind and the seas having abated nothing of their rage, but still increasing; and finding ourselves quite spent, we with horror beheld the Wild and almost inevitable death that waited for us.  
We had recourse to GOD as the only means left, and with tears in our Eyes, and terror in our Hearts, we implored his Infinite Goodness, by the suffrages of the Blessed Virgin, and St. Joseph; whom we prayed to interpose their credit to obtain mercy for us. In the mean time we plied four pumps continually, and having discovered two great Leaks, the one afore, the other affed we were obliged to make a well in the bottom of the keel, and to draw the water thence with Buckets and Pails to prevent sinking.  
'Twas strange, that tho' watching and fasting had quite spent us; yet we should gather strength out of our very weakness, and work and toil on, without so much as reflecting on our miserable condition; each of us thought of nothing but disputing his life, which he saw pressed and attacked with a thousand dangers at once.  
We continued thus toiling in our Misery, till four in the evening, when not knowing what farther course to take to save ourselves, or to resist the violence of the storm, we a second time addressed ourselves to GOD, vowing upon a deliverance to have a Service, or each his particular Mass said at St. Ann's in Auray.  
We crept up upon the Deck, and our Almoner on his knees, under the quarter deck, as did all the rest invok the aid and mercy of Heaven, in the name of two hundred and fifty Saints more, who poured out their Souls in the same devotion, imploring the mercy of GOD; never was a more moving Spectacle seen, and I then with horror read our ruin in the despairing looks of Monsieur Duquesne, who kneeling on his bed, and looking fixedly on the raging Seas, mounting high in the air, and threatening us with ruin, seemed to tell us there was no more hopes left but in the immediate Favour of Heaven: The Vow being made, he let himself fall on his bed, saying his only hopes were in the Infinite mercy of GOD, and that 'twas invain to strive any longer.  
This, I own threw me into the last despair, yet we were resolved to try once more what we could do; resolving to save ourselves, or perish; we tried to hoist a second time our foremast sail, where we used care in taking of the rise; each with fear and impatience waited the success of a course, that was either to save or ruin us; and at this very time we were quite consumed with the labour of the merciless Sea.  
A little after a Seaman, whom the Sea had swept out of the ship, was thrown in again by the Waves, and saved.  
But GOD at last showed us mercy, and pity, and was pleased to put an end to all our Fatigues and sufferings; for unfurling the foremast sail, it resisted the wind; when full of joy and acknowledgement for so visible a protection, we began to pursue our way; and in our turn, triumphing over those Waves that had so insulted us for two days together.  
We ran thus the rest of the night, and next day, being Saturday, the wind began to alter about four in the morning; so that at break of day we saw ourselves out of that danger, which continually threatened us for eight and forty hours together, without sleeping, or eating, or drinking, save a little Biscuit and Rack.  
When we had stopped the two leaks as well as we could, we fell to settling all things in the inside of the ship, that were in confusion; for nothing could be seen but Chests and Arms, etc. scattered up and down; fowls and beasts drowned; in short, an Emblem of an universal Deluge: each now taking breath, began to provide for himself, some pressed with hunger, began to search for Victuals; but the kitchens being spoiled we could have none dressed in three days time; and others almost dead for want of sleep, fell to drying their beds and clothes in the Sun.  
Never was the returning spring, after a long and Torrid winter, more grateful than the sight of the Sun to us, which composed the remainder of the storm, and hushed it quite asleep: This was a truly happy day to us; but seeing ourselves all alone, we reckoned we were preserved by Heaven, only to carry home the dismal news of the loss of the rest of the Squadron; we sailed on, still continuing our way, and endeavouring to discover what was become of the rest of the ships, whose rendezvous was appointed at Martinico.   

CHAP. XLIII.  
As we approach the Cape of Good Hope, we meet with contrary winds, with much fatiegue and sickness. Monsieur Duquesne finds part of the Squadron which he gave for lost.  
THe beginning of the month we sailed with all success imaginable, during which time we often saw certain dark Birds with yellow Beaks, but towards the end, as we approached the Cape of Good Hope, meeting with contrary winds we suffered great fatigues, which were very prejudicial to our men, and occasioned the Bloody Flux, and other Distempers; and the Cold increasing daily, was as great a Mortification to us now, as ever the heats had been before.  
The Severity of the Climate had not been so tiresome, if our passage had been more speedy; but we scarcely had sailed above forty or fifty Leagues, but the Wind chopped about, which forced us to lie by till it came fair again; and these delays were very uneasy to us, by reason of the continual rains, and excessive rollings of the ship.  
The third of April, I remember amongst a number of other Misfortunes, we had Thunder, Lighting and contrary Winds, oppressed us, all at once; which gave us all imaginable disturbance, and the excessive roulling and tossing of the ship would not let us take one moment's rest, or suffer us to stay a minute in a place, and sure nothing could be more irksome than our present condition was, especially the little hopes we had of a speedy deliverance.  
The next day we received an unexpected comfort; for about Seven in the morning we perceived, through the vast Fogs that arose, two ships a head of us, to whom we gave chase, though all alone, and had suffered so much in our Rigging; they immediately made us the Signals of Acknowledgements, in furling the Foresail, and lashing the Fore-top-sail; to which we answered in the same manner, and had no sooner hoist up a white flag, but they did so too: We quickly perceived they were our own ships, and as soon as came near them, they severally saluted us with five Guns a piece, and a Vive le Roy; the first was the Lion, whose Poop, as well as ours, was carried away; the second was the Dragon, who for eight days had been separated from the rest: If we were glad at the sight of them, they were not less surprised at our return, they believing us lost ever since they had seen a Topmast floating on the Sea; they told us, that the Squadron had suffered extremely, and that the Bird had been forced to heave her Boat and four Guns over board to save herself; and that the Flourishing and the Rock were nigh being lost, all the Goods in the first being spoiled, and the last having been obliged to pump continually to save themselves.   

CHAP. XLIV.  
We gave thanks to God for finding ourselves on the Bank of Needles, which we happily passed, and the gentle Trading Winds succeeding, we sailed prosperously.  
AS bad as this news was, we were glad to hear it, for we never expected to see or hear of one another more, and great would have been our satisfaction in pursuing our Voyage together, if the South West Winds, which lasted eight days, had not obliged us to lie by; at last they changed, and having seen a little Bird, of the size of a Sparrow, we judged we were not far from Land.  
Having sounded several times without finding ground, though according to the variation, and the Point of the Pilots, we should have been on the Bank of Needles. The 7th. of April we saw a Whale, and several Birds, as Cormorants, and Velvet Channels, were sitting on the Water, which gave us to understand we were very near Land; so that next day being the eighth, the Dragon having found ground, hoist a Flag to give us notice of it, we presently huddled over a few prayers, according to custom, and sounding all along we found ground in a 100 fathom Water.  
It was wonderful strange that in this place, where the Sea is always so boisterous and violent, it proved a dead Calm, followed by so gentle a Breeze, that we passed this Bank of 24 Leagues in length, with our Top-gallant Sails only: Thus having doubled the Cape of Good Hope we took heart, and hoped for a prosperous Voyage hence forward, the Winds being now so favourable.  
And indeed we made great way, for after having sailed 200 Leagues beyond it, we began to breath in a temperate Air, and to have fair and clear Wether, constantly accompanied with the gentle Trading Winds; it seemed as if God was now pleased to give us a little comfort, after so much misery and Sufferings; and, to say truth, we extremely stood in need of it, for the Vessel was not able to bear any more weather; our Men were very sickly, and grew so more and more, with what they had suffered in doubling the Cape; so that every day some of 'em died, either of the Flux, or of the Scurvy.  
Yet still we had reason to believe ourselves happy, the Cold abating by degrees, and warm weather succeeding, which was no small relief to those who were ill of the latter Distemper; the Sea was now no longer dangerous, but on the contrary all was calm and pleasant, as if we had made an Inland Voyage.   

CHAP. XLV.  
Our pleasant Navigation invites us to fish. A Description of an extraordinary Fish called a Requiem.  
THis happiness, and the Diversions we gave ourselves of Gaming, Dancing and Reading, charmed the fatigues of so long a Voyage; besides these, we often delighted ourselves with Fishing, and in one calm day we caught numbers of Tons, Goldfish and Bounites, and a large Fish called a Requiem, by fastening a great piece of Bacon to the hook.  
This monstrous Creature is between 15 and 16 foot long, and almost as big as a Man, it has no shell, but a skin thick and rough like Shagrin, with a Muzzle half round, distinct from the rest of the head; four fingers below, towards the Belly is placed the larger mouth, whose two Jaw bones have each three rows of Teeth, which are large and flat, yet very sharp, so that whenever he eats he is forced to throw himself on his back.  
It seems as if Nature, wonderful in her productions, would by that means suppress the devouring Appetite of this greedy Creature, which I have seen return three times to the same Bait, tho' the hook had torn his Gills before.  
This Monstrous creature does not shun Men, as other fish do, for he no sooner sees him in the water, but he follows him, and when he designs to quit the prey, he throws himself upon it, carrying away that part on which he fastens first; he is never seen but in a calm, following ships to catch whatever meat or rubbish the Seamen throw out.  
Certain little Fishes of the size of a Sardine which Swims before, (free from the insults of this creature as devouring as it is) and serve him as a Pilot, for from thence it is they are called by that name; they are such faithful companions to him, that when he is taken with the hook, and drawing in, they lie on his back, and suffer themselves to be drawn in also.  
I had forgot to mention how we found in the belly of one we took, a Knife and six pound of Bacon, which in all probability it got at the hook; I believe there is no creature in the World so hard lived, and difficult to kill.  
I took notice of one thing, among several others on board our Ship, that was peculiarly amazing in this fish; which was this, that it being cut in pieces, and each piece, separated from the heart, yet they all moved alike, which surprised us very much.  
This fish has a sort of marrow in the head, that hardens against the Sun, and being powdered, and taken in White-wine, is very good for the Colic.   

CHAP. XLVI.  
Monsieur Duquesne meets with two more Ships of his Squadron and sail together, in Order to anchor at the Isle of the Ascension.  
WHile we enjoyed the innocent diversion of fishing, a more solid entertainment diverted us for some time, the wind which we had directly in our Stern, made us dispatch no less than 40 Leagues a day, sailing now as expeditiously since our departure from Pontichery, as we did unsuccessfully before.  
The 25th. of April, the Dragon having given a signal about 3 in the afternoon, that she saw two ships, the Admiral ordered her to give chase to them; they seemed to be Dutch bound for St. Helen's, from whence we were not fat; but when we came up with them, we discovered they were the Bird and the Flourishing, which we had not seen in two Months before. Our Squadron had now been all reunited, if the Rock, which they told us, was a head of us, had been in company; We made use of the Wind, which was very favourable to join her at the Isle of Ascensions, near which we should pass to take some Tortoise aboard.  
We never had more need of going a shore, for our Company was harassed and quite spent with our poor diet, and continual pumping night and day; for our refuge was nothing but a little Brandy at our meals, with Biscuit and stinking flesh, and this was but a small relief to the sick, who died 3 or 4 at a time, and were pitied in vain by others, in whose power it was not to help them.  
You might see fifty at a time, some dried up with a Fever, and others consumed with the Bloody Flux, a third sort bloated and disfigured with the Country-disease, for we could not get one drop of good Wine, or a bit of fresh meat for them, since our fowl and Sheep, designed for their use, perished in the Tempest, which surprised us in the height of Mascarin.  
You may imagine that the long continuance of such ill diet, began to be very loathsome to us; the Scurvy, and weakness of a continual Flux had brought me to nothing; but I was still preserved, and tho' I had the same distemper with the rest, yet not the same destiny; for I often saw myself surrounded with the sick, and dying, without the least fear of death, being fully persuaded I should recover when I went a shore at the Isle of Ascention, which we all impatiently longed for.  
The Admiral, who without doubt, is one of the most expert in the Art of Navigation the King has, believed we were now drawing near it; and accordingly, after having run some Leagues more on the eighth of May, at Two in the Afternoon it appeared to us.  
We no sooner came near the shore: But an infinite number of various sorts of Birds, Inhabitants of this desert Island, came in flocks, as it were, to meet and receive us; they crowded so thick about us, that we killed them with half-pikes. Here we anchored in 30 fathom water, over against a great Sand-Creek, where the Tortoises go ashore, which is at the foot of the Mountain of the Cross, so called, because of a Cross which the Portuguese have planted on the top, where all Ships that touch there, are obliged to leave a Letter in a Bottle, to inform them from whence, and where they are bound, as also the day they passed by.   

CHAP. XLVII.  
A Description of the Isle of Ascention, and of the great Tortoises that are found there.  
AS soon as we had cast Anchor, the Seamen began to fish, and catch vast numbers; next day I went ashore, although it was very difficult landing, the Sloop being obliged to set us ashore on a steep rock, where we were forced to creep on all four, with a great deal of trouble and danger; several of our sick that were landed here, died presently, not having strength enough to bear the Air, and the difficulties of climbing the Cliffs.  
There is no Water found in this uninhabited Island, nor any thing to be seen but parched barren Hills, and Vales without verdure; nay, not so much as a blade of Grass, or any Herb; so violent and piercing are the Rays of the Sun. It's situated in 7 d. 30 m. of S. L. and may be about five leagues in compass. At first it appeared full of Mountains and Craggy Rocks, covered with Birds dung, who make their Nests on the top of them; but in the West of the Island, two high Mountains rise, which are a little green, being better moistened by the frequent Dews, which causes the ground all about, to abound with the largest, and best tasted Purselane that ever I met with.  
As weak as I was, the desire I had to be cured of the Scurvy, in taking the Air at Land, which is the only remedy for this evil, made me run up and down this part of the Island; where I observed one thing that was very extraordinary: The Birds which stood thick on the Rocks, suffered us to come so near them, that we might take them with our hands, and I stooping to gather some Purselane, several hover round my head, came and perched on my Hat, of which I took four alive, and killed two more with my Cane.  
The great numbers of these Birds, destroy the young Tortoises as soon as hatched, for they love their flesh so well, that they are continually pursuing them; and before they leave the Egg, or are able to gain the Sea, or swim on the surface of the Water; they kill them with their Beaks; but after they are grown bigger, the lightness of their shell makes them swim with more strength, and defends them from these Birds of Prey. Yet notwithstanding this vast destruction of them, their number is immense; the Tortoise being one of those Creatures, that multiply most. Nor will they admire at it, who consider it as one of the largest fish, that has its Nutriment from this Element.  
It's shape and colour being known by most people, I thought it unnecessary to give you a particular description of it here; I shall only say, that its head resembles that of an Eagle, and the Fins, which are about a foot and half long, are hid under their Shells: And for that reason, when the Requiems (a fish I have mentioned before) meet with the Tortoises, they always seize upon that part first, and so kill them; their Shell being but thin, and uncapable of resisting so great a strength, as that of the Requiem: This Battle I have often seen myself, and so can the better attest the truth of it.  
Some who have been ill informed, have said, that they make use of their Paws in fight, as the Land Tortoises do; but nothing is more false than this, they having nothing like a Paw, only a few Prickles at the end of their Fins, which they Crawl ashore with, and dig holes in the ground to lay their Eggs in; which having done, they immediately return to Sea again, leaving them covered, to be hatched by the warmth of the Sun.  
Great care and diligence must be used in the taking of them, for they are very quicksighted, you must range yourself in the night, in several places of the Creek, where they are known to come ashore, and when you perceive them at a sufficient distance from the Water, run to 'em and throw 'em on their backs, and then 'tis impossible for 'em to rise again.  
The Tortoises that are taken at the Isle of Ascention, are the biggest that ever I saw; there are some that weigh three or four hundred weight, sufficient to feed so many men at a time; the flesh is very wholesome and delicate, and the Eggs, which are exactly round, and are found in great quantities along the coast, are almost as big as an Hen's, but their shells are so thick, that if you throw them against the ground, they will rebound without breaking.   

CHAP. XLVIII.  
We leave the Isle of Ascention, and happily pass the Line a fourth time by the 346th, Deg. of Long. and come to an Anchor at Martinico.  
AFter having stayed here three days, to refresh ourselves with Pursloin and Fish, we left it on the 10th. at Four in the Afternoon, and the eleven Tortoises which we took on this Isle, were a great support to our sick; the goodness of God still favouring us with a fair wind, on the 22d. of May we passed the Line a 4th. time, by the 346 Deg. of Long. and indeed we stood in need of an expeditious return, for we had no less than 60 on board who lay sick on their beds, and they who were on their legs were so spent, that they moved compassion: Amongst the first were Monsieur Baron, the Almoner, and the King's Secretary, all three afflicted with the same Distemper, viz. the Scurvy, and died within a few days of one another, notwithstanding all care imaginable was taken of them; only Mr. Baron had the honour of seven Guns given him, being a Major Officer; so that our ship by its shattered condition, and our own miseries, resembled those Hospitals, where one sick Person is no sooner dead, but another takes his place.  
In the mean time we made the best of our way towards Martinico, where Monsieur Duquesme had orders to touch at; and just as we expected to discover it we met with a Squadron of 10 ships, the Admiral of which had her Flag on the maintop mast, which made us believe they were the Enemy; however superior they seemed to us in strength, we presently prepared for a fight, brought down our Hammocks, and threw the Chests into the hold; at least making a show of courage, tho' we desired nothing less than fight, in the miserable condition we were in.  
Each reasoned differently of the matter, as he was more or less concerned for his Life, his Goods, or his Liberty, which he now reckoned in the utmost danger. Monsieur Duquesne, whom Glory and Interest had rendered more discerning than the rest, inferred that if this was an English Squadron sent to intercept our passed, France must be the sufferer, for we should never be able to resist them.  
But while this was considering on he resolved, that during the rest of the day we should go as near the Wind (which we had of them) as possible, and that when night came on, we should steer a false course to avoid them, which was the only way we could take in the present exigency.  
A Capuchin, a Passenger (who was our Almoner since the death of the former) gave the general Absolution above deck by order of the Commandant; after a succinct Exhortation in few words, put us in mind of that Courage and Bravery we had formerly shown on the like occasions; exhorted us as much as his fears would permit him, to abate nothing of it in the present necessity, when our Lives and Liberties was both at stake.  
This Discourse out of season, made me resolve on a certain thing I scrupled to think of before, which happily had no further consequence; for night had scarce concealed us from the Enemy, but immediately tacking about we made a false course; in the morning we found ourselves as secure as we could wish, and in a few hours in sight of Martinico, where we came to Anchor over against St. Peter's Fort, Thursday the 7th. of June. There rod at Anchor in the Harbour four of the King's ships, Commanded by Monsieur le Chevalier de Arbouvill, who, as an inferior Officer to our Commandant, struck his Flame, and saluted us with seven Guns, and we in return answered with the same number.   

CHAP. XLIX.  
We put the sick a shore. The whole Squadron rejoins, and prepares to return immediately to France.  
WE immediately debarkt the sick, and lodged them in an House for that purpose, upon the shore near the River; who were furnished with Bread, Wine, fresh Meat, Oranges, Lemons, Bananes, Ananes, and all sorts of Refreshments; as were the rest of the Company, which with the plenty of Fish the Negroes brought on board, were sufficient to restore us to our former vigour.  
We understood there, that the ten ships we met in our return, were English, bound home from Barbadoes, whom the Squadron of Monsieur le Chevalier de Arbouville had obliged to raise the siege of Guadaloupa, with the loss of 500 of the Enemy, and a great many Cannon, having understood since by some French prisoners, who had made their escapes, that they were so much concerned at the sight of us, that as soon as 'twas night they presentlv tacked and stood a false course as well as we.  
They told us also some news from France, and amongst other things, that of the death of Monsieur Segnelay, and of the worthy choice his Majesty had made of Monsieur de Poutchartraine to supply his place. The death of this Minister was the reason we met with no new orders at Martinico, as he promised our Commandant, nor the Flute loaden with Provisions which he was to send thither, which was the occasion of a greater scarcity there than we expected, Meal and fresh Provisions being somewhat scarce at Martinico, eversince the War.  
This Island is so well known in France, by the relations that have been made of it, and the Trade it maintains there, that I ought not to speak much of it, except some small matters I observed in the short stay I made there; but that which pleased me most was, the many fine Houses situated on the Mountains all about, whose Avenues, Allies and Arbours are composed of Jessamins, Orange and Lemon Trees, which are as common there, as Apple trees in Normandy.  
The Women there would be very agreeable, but for the pale colour which is contracted by the Air of the Island, where the heats in my mind are too great for any, but the Natives to live, happily there.  
Not being to make any long stay there, we began to Wood and Water, after we had cleaned our Ship and stopped the two leaks we had. At this time the Rock, whom we had not yet seen, came from an adjacent harbour where she had lain three days at Anchor before our arrival, and came to an anchor over against the Fort of St. Peter, driven by the Wind and Tide; she ranged our side so close, that intending to pass betwixt us and the Flourishing, she struck against our head and broke the Beak, which so provoked Monsieur Duquesne, that he resolved to have the head Pilot drawn under the keel, but he was discharged after three days lying in Irons.   

CHAP. L.  
The Squadron departs from Martinico for France, where they at last safely arrived. Death of Monsieur Questilly, Captain of the Dragon.  
IT must be owned that Ideas which the mind forms of a future happiness are sometimes wonderful, and delude the time till we arrive at it. I was restless till I came to Martinico, and when there, as uneasy till I reached France, nor was it without reason, for whatever advantage we had by being there, there was none but desired to leave it, when he reflected on the number of those that died there daily.  
The Standard, a ship of the Company's coming from the Indies with two others, named the Game and the Louvre, brought a pestilential distemper thither from Brurill, which had not yet ceased; so that the most healthy and vigorous amongst us, upon the least excess, were carried off in 4 or 5 days at most, in spite of any remedies that could be used.  
This mortality which might have very much lessened the Company, and rendered them so weak as to be scarce able to bring the Ship back again to France, made the Commandant resolve to hasten away; we took in Wine and new Biscuit, and after embarking the sick, we sailed the 2d. of July at nine in the morning, followed by Monsieur le●ehvaler de Arbouville, who was to Convoy two and twenty Merchants to Rochfort.  
We were presently becalmed, which hindered our coming within sight of the English Islands till the 8th. when making all the sail we could we left the convoy behind us the Merchants sailing very heavily.  
By leaving Martinico we thought to have left the distemper that reigned there, but it followed, us and did not take its leave till it had swept away sixteen of our Men, in the first fifteen days after our departure. Monsieur de Questilly, Captain of the Dragon, struck to it, as well as others; to whom we gave the accustomed honours, and the Commandant put Monsieur de Aubervill, our Lieutenant in his place.  
In the mean time the Wind continuing good, we passed the Tropic of Cancer on the 21st. and except a few days sailed very successfully the rest of the month, and during those few we met with very rough Seas, fomented by violent Storms; but the very thought of approaching France made us easy, though we had reason enough to be otherwise; so nothing disturbed us afterwards, seeing ourselves near the end of so many fatiegues, and so long and hazardous a Voyage.  
The 9th. of August the Rock hung out English Colours, to give us notice that she discovered a sail which we saw behind us, making all the sail she could to us; we were willing to gratify her curiosity, furled our sails, and gave her time enough to come up with us, and after she was near enough to discover our strength, she stood away presently without daring to come any nearer. Monsieur Duquesne having hung out French colours, which she did too without taking them down, tho' we hung out English Colours again.  
Next day the Lion was dispatched to discover Cape Finister, who believing she had sight of it, gave us the Signal; but her mistake was very great, and our joy short, for we did not discover it till next day; the Bird, who kept the head of the Squadron, having got a clear view of it, we gave God thanks by singing Te Deum, the Wind being at North East, and therefore contrary, we came within Cannon shot of the Land, tacking till it changed, which it did that very evening, and carried us so happily for seven days together, that at last we arrived at the height of our Wishes, that is, within sight of France, and came all six to an Anchor under the Island of Groye, Saturday the eighteenth of August 1691, at Nine in the morning: Whence sailing again the 19th. we entered For Lewis full of joy for our happy return, thanking the Divine Providence who had preserved us through a thousand dangers in this long and painful Voyage, from which we parted from the Island Groye, the 27 of Feb. 1690.  
FINIS.    


THE CANARY or FORTUNATE Islands    

THE VOYAGES OF THE Sieur Le MAIRE, TO THE CANARY -- ISLANDS, Cape-Verde, Senegal, and Gambia.  

Departure from Paris.  I Had been almost three Years employed about the Hotell de Dieu of Paris, (that is, the Hospital of God) when I heard that Monsieur D'ancourt was ready to part for Cape-Verde, in Quality of Director-General of the Royal African Company; when I immediately resolved to accompany him, and he consented to it: and having agreed on Terms, the 14. of Jan. 1682. he presented me to the Gentlemen of the Company who confirmed what we had settled.  
After employing a few days in settling my Affairs, and in taking leave of my Friends, we parted for Orleans; where we took boat for Nantes on the Loire: and tho' this Passage is commonly made in two or three days, yet we were seven or eight about it, and that not without Danger too.  
The Wind was still contrary, and so violent, that the River was almost as boisterous as the Sea; the Rivers too overflowed so, that we lost the Channel; so that only discerning the tops of little Trees, all the rest being under Water, we found ourselves sometimes fast on the Trunks, like Birds perching on Trees.  
At last, however, we arrived at Nantes, and after ten days stay, we took Horse for Breast: what we saw of Brittany as we passed, was not very entertaining; tho' it's known, this Province is good and fruitful in many places; but all along as we passed, we had a very unpleasant Prospect.  
Being arrived at Breast the 4th. of February, we expected to Sail in a few Days; but the Ship was not ready, but ill careened, and had not half her Furniture; and we were to wait till she was new masted, and till she was fit to meet with stormy Wether, and the Enemy which we expected.  
Two Months were spent in this Work; the Ship was called the St. Catherine, of four hundred Tun, carrying forty Guns; 'twas built at Flessingue, and designed for a Cruiser; Captain Monsegue commanded it by orders of the Company.  

Breast.  The Port of Breast, where the Frigate lay, is the best we have in the Ocean; the greatest Ships ride there in Safety, and sheltered from all Wether as in a Chamber; whence 'tis called by that Name. Ships may sail out of it at low Water as well as at high; for they always ride afloat. It's as strait at the Month as a River, and has two Halfmoons of each side, and on the right a strong Castle, old built, which defends the entrance. This Port goes in a Spiral Line; it's a large half League long, and about two hundred Paces wide: it's situated between two Mountains, which cover it. All these Advantages it receives from Nature.  
In this Port I saw the greatest and the beautifullest Ships in the World; amongst others, the Admiral, named the Royal Sun; it has not so much gild as the Royal Lewis of Toulon, but 'tis better built; longer, and a better Sailer. It carries 120 Guns, and the great Cabin is magnificent, richly gilded, and the Ceiling is of the Design Monsieur le Poune: there are about fifteen more but of a lesser size; yet very proper, and beautifully built.  
Besides these, there were about fifty more of 90, 80, 70, 60, and 50 Guns, without reckoning smaller Frigates of a lower Rate: next to the Royal Sun, are the Queen, the Crown, the Glorious, the Beautiful, the Good, the Thunderer, the the Lightning, the Diamond, etc. These vast Machine's give just Wonder, and appear like floating Palaces.  
Our Ship being completely equipped, it sailed out of the Chamber into the Road the 20th. of March; five of the King's Ships were fitted out at the same time, of which four were to join those of Toulon, and the fifth to Convoy some Ships belonging to the East-India-Company.  
Wednesday the 9th of April 1682. I embarked with four Sons of a Family which went with us: as Monsieur Dancort continued still at Breast, these Gentlemen and I diverted ourselves a little with Hunting, believing we might as easily go ashore again as we came aboard: the Director's Cook who came aboard about some business, made use of a little Skiff which was rowed by two Lads, which we used to go ashore in; and were now got 2 Leagues on the Sea near Cameret, without minding which way he should get back: we were so earnest taking the Diversion of Hunting, that we did not care where we put ashore, without minding the Danger we ran, in passing over craggy Rocks hanging over the Sea, into which I had like to fall two or three times. And after all this pains, we had the Disappointment to meet with no Game; we were forced to employ ourselves in killing Larks, which proved afterwards more of use to us than we imagined then: tired therefore with this sort of Hunting, we passed to a better Entertainment, and fell to a Hare-Pasty, which we brought with us, and a Glass of good Wine.  
After we had spent our Provisions, we returned to our little Boat, and were no sooner at Sea again, than a sudden Storm arose, in which I thought we should have perished every moment. One of our Gentlemen who was very much fatigued, had fallen asleep as soon as ever he came into the Skiff, and was wakened by our Noise, and the tossing of the Boat; and when we were half way, tho' he was scarce throughly awake, he was so sensible of the Danger we were in, that he cried out, We were certainly lost if we did not return again.  
Our little Rowers were almost spent, but not their Courage, who pretended to cheer us, saying, There was no Danger of the Boat, tho' she rolled so; and if the worst came to the worst, 'twas only swimming for't: but they were mistaken as to me; and besides, the Waves were so great and violent, that instead of landing us, they had dashed us in pieces against the Rocks.  
We followed the Counsel of our Companion, and turned back again, rowing with all our Might; and at last, with much ado, got ashore, where we waited for calmer Wether.  
In the mean time, while we were enjoying our Safety ashore, we heard a single Gun, and saw at the same time the Topsails loose, which is the usual Signal of Sailing: There were several Lighters near us, which might have carried us aboard; but we could not prevail with any of the Masters to whom they belonged, to give us a Cast.  
Thus we saw our Ship under Sail, the Admiral saluted with seven Guns, making the best of her way, running before the Wind, with all the Sail she could make; and I was not a little troubled to be left behind thus, and all my Things aboard.  
We followed the sight of our Vessel, haling her as loud as ever we could bawl, and discharging our Fuseels, but all in vain, the Vessel disappeared; one of our Companions, who was but an ill Footman, took Cameret Road, believing he should find us there; and being in search of him, we spent a good part of the Night in looking after one another.  
Many Misfortunes attended us on our way; for ever and anon, one was bogged in the Marshes, another would fall into a Ditch, each calling on the other for help, and all cursing the Chase: Hunger followed our other Miseries, when at last we got into an Inn, where every thing was proportionable to our short Purses; wretched Provision and Beds: however, all that we had was spent that Night, and we were forced to depart Fasting next Morning.  
As we went again in search of our strayed Companion, and coasting by the Sea, we perceived Masts, which at first we took for high Trees which grew by the Sea, not so much as flattering ourselves that we should ever see our Ship again, which we thought had been far enough off; but coming near, we found we had not lost our Passage, for she Anchored in Camaret Road, three Leagues from Breast.  
Great was our Joy, and we had now no more to do but to find out our Companion, and go aboard: we endeavoured by Signals to give notice of us to the Ship, but with no better Success than the Day before; so that the Sloap did not come to fetch us.  
As we sought all imaginable ways to get out of our Troubles, we observed a Bark at Sea plying towards the Ship; I don't know how we came to fancy that he whom we sought might be in it; but we fancied right, and he was the first Man we perceived from the Shore; so we made Signs to 'em at a distance, which he understood, and the Bark made towards us: but it being impossible to come near, by reason of the Rocks, 'twas our Business to get aboard as well as we could.  
At last we did; and after a great deal of Rejoicing at our Meeting so happily again, we thought of nothing but taking our Rest: but this was not the time; for the Sea was so rough, that the Waves went over the Ship, and we were wet from Head to Foot. This, joined with the excessive Cold, and the Danger we were in of being castaway, which the Seamen themselves feared not a little, cast us into a fresh Concern, till after much Difficulty and Hazard we got aboard.  
At our leisure we revolved all our past dangers, and presently fell to eating after hard Fasts; we remained some time in the Road, waiting for Monsieur Dancourt, who was still ashore at Breast. On Sunday, at Noon, April the 12th, 1682. he came Aboard, and immediately we Sailed.  
When we were about three Leagues at Sea, we met the Ship named the Burning, which lay at Anchor, waiting the Tide to enter into the Bay of Breast; she was mounted with 80 Guns, and came from Haure, to take Monsieur de Provily, Lieutenant-General, Aboard, who was afterwards to Sail to Algiers.  
We Saluted him in the usual manner, with 7 Guns, and crying out three times Vive le Roy; he answered us with as many, against the usual custom of the King's Ships, who always return two Guns less; in all probability, he did it in complaisance to Monsieur the Intendant, who was then Aboard him, and who was Monsieur Dancourt's Friend.  
After thanking him with three, we pursued our way with a North-East Wind, leaving the Cape to the West, Steering West-South-West, where we took the point of our departure, in 48 Degrees 20 Minutes of Southern Latitude, and in the 11th Degree of Longitude; but as I am not very expert in the Art of Navigation, I shall not oblige myself to be thus exact in these sort of Observations, but when it is indispensibly necessary.  
Tuesday, the 21th of April, we perceived two Ships to the East of us; by their Steering to get the Weather-gage of us, we judged them to be Privateers; we presently put ourselves in a posture of defence, which prevented their making any attempt upon us, believing there was little to be got by us but Ball.  
Sunday the 26th, in the Morning, being in 32 Degrees, as many Minutes, of Northern Latitude, and in 4 Degrees 13 Minutes of Eastern Longitude, we saw Cape-Cantin, the Coast of Barbary, and the Kingdom of Morocco, from whence we were only six Leagues distant; if the Night had lasted we had lost our way, for we Sailed to the West of the Maderas, which is above 140 Leagues thence.  
Wednesday the 29th, we perceived the Isle of Anecerotte, one of the seven Canary Islands; which we left about ten Leagues to the Southeast, where we met with a Calm, and excessive Heat.  
Thursday, the 30th of April, we found ourselves in 28 Degrees 30 Minutes of Southern Latitude, and 4 Minutes of Longitude, taking the first Meridian at the Isle de Fer, according to the Custom of our Nation; so that not being above ten Leagues distant to the North-East from the Great Canary, we tacked on this Isle till Night, about a League off Land. We could not Anchor by reason of the little Wind that was stirring, and the darkness of the following Night; this obliged us to tack about to the East▪ and to keep out at Sea till Three a Clock in the Morning of the opposite side to the Land.  

Great Canary, the Capital of the seven Islands.  Friday, the 1st of May, having tacked to the West, in the Road of the Great Canary, about Nine and a half we Anchored in 24 Fathom, and found a Sand that was partly grey and partly red, mixed with Coral; 
It's Situation.  the Town, with its situation stands on the South-West side, is a League and a half from the Road, and defended by a very ordinary Castle.  
When they had given us notice from the top of this Castle, they set up the Pavilion of Spain, which we Saluted with five Guns; to which they returned not a Gun, I suppose 'twas for want of Powder.  
There is very good Anchoring in this place, if one done't come too near the Town, to which the Rocks, that lie under Water, render the approach very dangerous; 
It's Strength.  it's defended by a Castle situated on a Mountain, from being attacked by Sea; it's Peopled by twelve thousand Islanders brave enough, and able to oppose any Invasion; our Ship Anchored in 18 Fathom Water before the Town.  

It's bigness  It's about a League in compass; the Houses, for the most part, are well enough built, but low, not above two Story; they are all Terrased a top, so that the Roofs not appearing, one would think they had been burnt. In the day time you scarce see a Man in the Streets.  

Residence of the States and of the Parliament.  Tho' the Bishop, the Governor, and the best sort, have their Residence at Teneriffe, yet in this Capitol is the Episcopal Seat, the Tribunal of the Inquisition, and the Supreme Council, which is the Parliament of the Seven Islands. There are four Monasteries in't, one of Dominicans, and one of Franciscans; the two other are Bernardines and Recolets. 
Religious Houses.   

The Canary Islands formerly called Fortunate.  These Islands, which were formerly called Fortunate, deserved the Name, if the goodness of the Air, and the richness of the Soil, be considered; 
Their Happiness.  they abound in Wheat, Barley, Honey, Cows, Sheep, Deer, and all the Necessaries of Life: The Wine of Malvesia is in such great plenty there, that the English, the French, the Spaniard, and Dutch, etc. furnish themselves thence every Year.  
The Happiness of this Place, to be able to subsist independent of all other Countries, for the Necessaries of Life, made the Heathens formerly believe, 
Belief of the Heathens.  that 'twas the Elysium Fields, designed for the abode of Happy Souls after Death.  
They are not so happy in their Water as in other things, but this they remedy by pouring it into Vessels of the figure of a Mortar, made of a very Porous sort of Stone, through which it filters itself, and afterwards becomes very good.  

The Richness of the Soil.  Their Harvest is commonly in March or April; in several places they have two in one Year. The Soil is so exceeding Rich, that I saw a Cherrytree that had not been Grafted above six Weeks, bear Fruit, Flowers grow of themselves without any Care; and it abounds in Oranges and Citrons to admiration.  
The Great Canary, as well as Teneriffe, and the Palm, continued Idolaters some time after the Conquest made of them by the Spaniards in 1460. The Ancerotte, Fort-Avanture, the Gomer, and the Fer, first received Christianity; and the three others at last followed their Example. The Spaniards, resolving at last to reduce these Islands to their Obedience, sent a great number of the Inhabitants Slaves into Spain; they who remained were Civilised, and live after the manner of their Conquerors; and these, above all the other Inhabitants of the Canaries, are Civil to Strangers.  
Monsieur Dancourt was very well received there by the Governor of the Island, with whom he Dined, conducted by the Consul of our Nation, named Remond, originally of Liege, and a very honest Man; he too Regaled us very much, both with Wines and Fruits, and continued two days with him, in which he made exceeding much of me.  
I was four times at the Convent of the Bernardines, the Provisor having given me leave at the request of the Abbess; there were some French Women there, of whom one was of Paris, who was my Interpreter; there being some Sick in the Convent, they were very much concerned lest I should take the Infection.  
The presence of a Physician, made them make use of the opportunity; and several of them pretended to be Sick who ailed nothing, that they might have more liberty. They expressed a great deal of Civility to me, and loaded me with Biscuit, and wet and dry Comfits, with Lemonade, Malvesia, and all manner of Fruit, which they sent me on Plates, and China Dishes, garnished with Roses, Violets, Orange-Flowers, Jessamin-Flowers, and Tuberoses, without reckoning Nosegays; and I presented them too, which they civilly received.  
How their women are habited and how they carry their children on their backs  
How the Negroes dance in a round  
As they have no great confidence in their own Physicians, they are very glad when they can meet with one of France: The Lawyer did all he could to persuade me to stay at the Great Canary, offering me his House, his Table, and many other Advantages; but I was resolved not to break my Word with Monsieur Dancourt, so I thanked the Spaniard for all his kindness, and ordered what I thought was most proper for his Wife, and such things as might be found in the Island, where they are very scarce.  
He would have given me Money, which for the Honour of my Nation I refused; I thought to have returned thither again next Morning, he having desired the Consul I might, saying he would gratify me in another way, seeing I would not take Money; but I had not time, the Sloop coming to take me Aboard on Saturday Night.  
I was almost Enchanted with this Island, and with much ado I parted from it; if ever I leave France again, it shall be to live in the Great Canary. But I can scarce prefer any thing to France itself for happiness; but before I leave this Island, I must not forget to tell you, That it's 30 Leagues in compass, and almost round. 
Extent of the Great Canary.   
Saturday the 2d, towards Evening, the Wind blowing hard at North-North-East, we Sailed, and slacking again about Three a Clock in the Morning, we Steered our Course in sight of the Picinino, a high Mountain of the Island of Teneriffe, with a design to Anchor in the Road of Holy-Cross; our Pilots observed in this Latitude, that the Needle varied to the North-East, three Degrees thirty Minutes.  
Sunday the 3d, being to the farthest North of the Great Canary, with a scanty Wind at North-North-East, we had the Cape to the West all Night.  
Monday the 4th, in the Morning, we arrived at Teneriffe, the richest of all the Canary Islands; in sight of Holy-Cross, a little Town on the East Point of the Island. One may Anchor there in 25 or 30 Fathom Water, however we did not Anchor at all, and remained ready to Sail again all day, waiting the Sloop that was sent ashore.  
Tho' the Governor of Holy-Cross permitted those who went in the Sloop to Land, yet he acquainted the Governor-General (whose Residence is at Laguna, three Leagues from the Sea) that there was some French who desired to come ashore to be supplied with Provisions: The Answer was, To make them Prisoners if they did. Perhaps the reason was, That they were afraid we might have some Aboard that had the Plague, thinking we came from the Levant.  

The Pic.  The Picinino is one of the highest Mountains in the World; they say one may see it 40 Leagues off at Sea. As for us, we saw it but 12 or 15, by reason of the Fog, which made it appear to us like a Cloud in the Point of a Diamond; it's always covered with Snow, though it never Snows below, nor ever Freezes.  

The Island of Teneriffe.  As for Teneriffe, it's reckoned to be the highest Island in the Ocean, and the best Peopled for its bigness, containing 15000 Inhabitants; it's this which produces that excellent Wine of Malvesia, which passes for the best in the World. This Wine is not known in these Islands, but since the Spaniards became Masters of it; for they first brought the Plant from Candia; and now they prefer this Wine to that of the Place from whence it derives its Original, and there comes a greater quantity from thence than from Candia.  

The Situation of the seven Canary Islands.  The Seven Canary Islands lie in a Line one by another, almost exactly from East to West; they are very Mountainous, but well Peopled, and very Fertile; the least is 60 Miles in compass.  

Remark.  As I had formerly heard speak of a wonderful Tree in the Isle of Fer, whose long and narrow Leaves are always green, and supplied all its Inhabitants with Water, I was willing to inform myself about it; and I asked if it was so as I was informed; that there falls so great a Dew on this Tree, that dropping afterwards, as a clear Water into Stone Basins, which they set a purpose to receive it; it supplies both all the Men and Beasts of the Island, Providence thus wonderfully supplying the want of fresh Water. They told me 'twas a mere Fiction, yet some there were too, who said, there might be such a Tree in the Island, but that it did not yield such a quantity.  
Tuesday the 5th, we continued our Course to the Southward, in 27 Degrees 40 Minutes of Southern Latitude, and in 360 Degrees of Eastern Longitude; about Six in the Evening, the South Point of the Great Canary lay East-North-East from us, about 7 Leagues off.  
Wednesday the 6th, it blew so hard at East, that we were extremely shattered in our Masts and Rigging, and the Mainmast bowed so, that we expected it would come by the Board; this Tempest ceased a quarter of an hour after, and we enjoyed a Calm again.  
Thursday the 7th, at Noon, being in 23 Degrees of Southern Latitude, and 28 Minutes of East Longitude, we passed the Tropic of Cancer.  
Wednesday the 8th, we approached the Coast of Barbary, being, at Noon, in 20 Degrees 47 Minutes of South Latitude, the Wind blowing hard at East-North-East; and observing 'twas impossible to gain Cape Blanc before Night, and that we were four Leagues from Land, being in 28 Fathom Water, we presently tacked about, Steering East-South-East. And Saturday the 9th, about Eight a Clock in the Morning, we found ourselves within a League of Land.  

Cape Blanc.  We ranged the Coast as far as Cape Blanc, where we Anchored in 14 fathom Water to the North-West, about a League from the Point of the Cape; which is, according to our Elevation, in 20 Degrees 30 Minutes of South Latitude, and 359 Degrees 10 Minutes of West Latitude.  

Why it's called Cape Blanc, or the Sea of Sand.  When the Portuguese first discovered this Cape, about the Year 1454. they called it Cape Blanc, for that being Sandy and Barren, they saw not the least Verdure; it's level like the Sea, whence they called it the Sea of Sand.  
From Cape Cantin to this Cape, which comprehends 300 Leagues, one sees nothing but a Sandy Plain, called by the Ancients the Desert of Lybia, and by the Arabians Zaara; its Inhabited only by Wild Beasts, as Lions, Tigers, Onces, Leopards, and such like Creatures.  
These Deserts reach to Mount A●las on the North, and to the Country of the Negroes on the South; they are of so vast an extent from East to West, that they can't be passed on Horseback in fifty days. By this way, the Caravans of Fox pass to Tombut, mely, Borneo, and the other Kingdoms of the Negroes.  
When a Storm rises in these Deserts, the Sand Buries Men and Camels, and often the Stuffs, and filling up the Pits by the way, the Passengers Dye with Thirst; as there is no beaten Path there, they make use of the Compass as at Sea.  
There's a sort of a Gulf in the very Point of Cape Blanc, which takes its Name from the Island which it forms, which is called Arguin; this Gulf advances above 15 Leagues into the Land, for which reason we lose the sight of it in passing the Point.  
The Portuguese had a Fort formerly in this Island, from whence they Trafficked with the Azoaghes, Arabs, or Moors, who exchange with them Gold, gum-arabic, Ivory, and Ostriches Feathers, which are in great Plenty there, by reason of the great number of these Birds. 
Observation on the Ostriches.  'Tis said of this Creature, that its Memory is so bad, that it forgets where 'thas laid its Eggs, and often treads on them. I can't easily believe what I am told, that one of them will feed eight Men. They bring these Merchandizes to Hoden, which is four days Journey up Land, and where arrive the Caravans of Tombut, Gualata, and other places of Inward Lybia, and of the Negro's Country.  

Manners and Religion of the People.  These People observe the Law of Mahomet; don't stay long in a place, wand'ring from one place to another along the Deserts, according as they find Pasture for their Horses, Camels, Oxen, Sheep, and Goats; on the Milk of which they live. They are divided by Tribes and Families; they acknowledge no other King but him who surpasses the rest in Riches, and him they willingly Obey as their Captain.  

How they Traffic.  Their Traffic with the Negroes consists in Horses and Camels; they receive two, six, eight, ten Slaves, for one Horse, but for a Camel only two.  

Fort of Arguin.  The Fort of Arguin was taken by the Dutch from the Portuguese, and again taken from them in the War of 1672. by Monsieur Ducas, Captain of the Royal Company of Africa; he had but 120 Men to this Expedition, and lost but three of them. The Cowardice of the Dutch eased this Conquest very much, for nothing was more easy than to prevent it; we had but six Guns, of which, the biggest was but an Eight Pounder, nothing defended us; and, with all this, we wanted Water, it being impossible to Drink of that, of one single Well in the Island, which stinks.  

Belongs at present to the French.  This Fort remained to us by the Treaty of Nimeguen, as did all the other Places which the Company Occupies; notwithstanding this Treaty, the Dutch send several Ships thither every Year; which is a manifest infraction.  
The Captain of our Ship Landed there with 30 Men, thinking to have met the Ship called the Town of Hambourgh, but it was Sailed away, we found only one Bark in the Dock which was not finished, and which we burned; and another little Vessel, in which were some Moors and Dutch, who abandoning it, Swum for't. 'Twas found Loaded with Tortoises, which were very welcome to our Men in the Sloop, whose Provisions were all spent; they are very large on this Coast, and very plentiful, one alone will feed 30 Men; 
Remarks on the Tortoises.  they eat like Veal, and are Meat good enough; its Shell may be about 15 Foot round.  

The Plenty of Cape-Blanc.  Cape Blanc abounds in Fish, besides the common Fish, as Pargueses, Vielles, Goldfish, Junny, and Seadogs, and others, of whose Names I am ignorant; our Men catched some of them, and fed very happily on them for eight days, which we carried on this Coast. As far as the Mouth of the River of Senegal, there are some shattered Habitations of Moors, though the Country be very Barren, and scarce any thing lives there but Fish.  

1682.  Saturday the 16th, we continued our Course to Goree, and past in sight of the River Senegal; of which I shall speak hereafter.  

Cape-Verde.  Tuesday the 19th, we discovered Cape-Verde, being in 14 Degrees 45 Minutes of Southern Latitude North.  

It's Discovery.  This Cape was thus Named by the Portuguese, who discovered it the same Year as Cape-Blanc. They named it Cape-Verde, because the great number of Trees they saw there, of which several are always green. It's high, and yields a pleasant Prospect; on the top are two round Mountains, which, from their resemblance, were called Breasts. It advances very far out into the Sea, and passes for the greatest in the Ocean, 
It's Extent.  after Cape De-Bon-Esperance; there is a great concourse of Tides there, which bear to the Southward.  

It's Situation.  It's Situation is ill marked in the Card, which places it in 14 Degrees exact, whereas it's in 14 and a half. After doubling the first Point (for there are two) we see a little Island which is uninhabited; it's Named the Isle of Birds, by reason of the great numbers seen there at its first Discovery.  
When we had passed this Island, we doubled the other Point to discover Goree, which lies behind the Cape, almost opposite to the Breasts. The Coast runs inward to the North-West in a Creek, where is found the best Water of all this Latitude; which is a great relief to the Ships.  

Goree.  Being arrived at Goree, Wednesday the 20th of May 1682. and Anchoring in the Road, we Saluted the Port with seven Guns, which returned the Salute, Gun for Gun; the first was with Ball, in Honour to Monsieur Dancourt; when he went into the Sloop, our Ship saluted him with five Guns, all the Ships in the Road did the same; and when he was Landed, the Fort saluted him with seven more.  

Monsieur Dancourt finds the Affairs of the Company in an ill State.  After showing the Letters of the Company, who had made him Director, he took possession of his Employment; he found Affairs in a very ill posture, by the conduct of two Persons, each of them pretending to the chief Command. The one was a Frenchman, and Commandant of Goree for the Company; and the other their Agent-General along the Coast. But as this is none of my business, I shall meddle no farther.  

The Isle of Goree.  The Island of Goree, was called so by the Hollanders, because it resembled an Island of Zealand of the same Name. 
It's Extent.  It's about a quarter of a League in compass, and runs long ways North and South, about a League from the Land; it has, to the South, a Rock sloping of one side, and of the other is washed by the Sea. The whole Island, indeed, is surrounded almost by Rocks, which hinders the entrance into it, except a little Creek, by which Vessels may enter.  

Discovered by the Portugese.  As the Portugueses were the first who have made long Voyages on this Coast, 'twas first discovered by them, as well as all the rest of Africa, to the Sea, Ocean, and Atlantic side; having fallen into the possession of the Dutch, they built a Fort on the weakest side of the Mountain, for the Defence of the Island, and of another wretched Fort, which was below, not able to defend itself.  

Monsieur D'Estrees makes himself Master of it.  Monsieur the Count d'Estrees, Vice-Admiral of France, in 1678. in the Month of November, seized on this Fort, which the Governor rendered to him, without making any Defence; as they could not spare Men to Garrison them, they were both razed. Messieurs of the Company, who Govern the Island at present, have a little re-established that below, by Buildings, which serve them for Magazines, and by the raising an ordinary Wall on the Ruins of the Old Fort, only to avoid being insulted by the Negroes.  
Monsieur Dancourt presently employed himself in promoting the Trade, visiting the Counters established along the Coasts, and in giving Orders to the Commissaries; and afterwards, in seeking the Amity of the Negro Kings and Chiefs.  
To this end, he began to visit the Country up and down for a matter of fourscore Leagues; that is, from the Mouth of the Senegal, to that of the River Gambia; which are the two Mouths of the River Niger. I accompanied him in all his Journeys along the Coasts, when I informed myself of all that concerns the Country, of their Religion, Manners, and Customs of the Africans of Cape-Verde.  
We began the 6th of December with Senegal, whither we could not go by Sea, because of a North Wind that was just contrary to us; notwithstanding the Affairs of that place requiring the presence of Monsieur Dancourt, because of the Death of the Governor, which happened a little before, he resolved to go thither by Land, and to send the Fame, a Ship commanded by Captain D'Oyere, as well to carry Merchandise, as to bring back those which were exchanged.  

Observation on the way.  It's easy to pass from Senegal to Goree, but not to go thither; and this Ship having a contrary Wind, spent a Month in her passage, which was but 40 Leagues in a strait Line; but she was forced to Work and Tack, which made it 500 We gave her for lost, when we, at last, happily saw her arrived in the Road.  
Our Journey by Land was not so tedious, but that 'twas still more painful, for the Road furnishes Passengers with no sort of Necessaries; no, not so much as Carriage. And in the whole Town of Rufis, which is but three Leagues from hence, we could find but one Horse for Monsieur Dancourt, and six Asses; two of which carried our Provisions.  
Tho' 'twas now December, yet the heat was excessive, which was very painful to us; and we Travelled from Sun-rise to Sunset, only stopping a little at Noon, when we rested a while under a Tree, to Eat of some little Provision we had brought with us. 
The great scarcity hereabouts.  At Night we lay in some Town, where we found Necessaries neither for ourselves, nor Mill for our Beasts, though it be the ordinary Food of the Negroes, who live often only on Roots for the want of Grain.  
Our Hosts received us after their best manner, but their extreme Poverty made their best but indifferent. 
Negro's Houses.  Their Houses are made of Straw, as are those of their very Kings; though in some places they are more commodious than in others. The first are about four foot Diameter, the Roof is a sort of Dome, the outside of which is Straw, and the inside Palms, the whole handsomely worked; the Dome, or Roof, is supported by five or six Forks; the Wall is of Palm or Straw, neatly wove together.  
They have neither Doors nor Windows to their Houses, only a little hole like the Mouth of an Oven, so that one must creep on all four to enter into them; though the heat must needs be excessive in such a place, yet they make fires in them, which are always accompanied with a great Smoke. 
The Negro's love Smoak.  This inconveniency pleases them, for they love Smoke: Their Floor is Sand, into which you sometimes sink up to the mid Leg.  
Now the Negroes beds are made  
The Negroes houses  

Their Beds.  Their Beds are yet less commodious than their Houses; they are made of a great many Sticks about two inches thick, set at two fingers distance one from the other, joined together by a Rope almost like a Hurdle; thick twisted Sticks (as is all their Wood) fills betwixt every two, and seem only placed to break one's sides. These Beds, as well as the Roofs of their Houses, are supported by Forks; and thus they lie on them without any more to do, only the better sort have a Mat, which serves them for a Quilt.  
From what I have said, it's easy to conclude, That if this Country suffers not its Inhabitants to be happy by reason of its Barrenness, 
Their Sloth.  they themselves too contribute to their Misery by their Sloth.  
But to return to our Journey, which this digression has interrupted: After six days fatigue, we came to a Town called Bieure, 
Bieure.  which stands at the Mouth of the River of Senegal. As there are as many Customs as Countries, we observed that in this, the Men concern themselves with nothing, 
The Women only manage the Trade.  'tis the Women who manage all the Traffic; who, under pretence of carrying the Merchandise, held a dishonest correspondence with our Seamen.  
We left our Beasts in this place, and Monsieur Dancourt sent from thence to the Habitation, to send us a Vessel to carry us the other five Leagues, which yet remained, 
St. Lewis' Island.  to the Island of St. Lewis; where we arrived two hours after Midnight.  

It's Situation.  This Island, situated in the middle of the River, five Leagues above the Mouth of it, is about a League in compass. Messieurs of the Company have their Magazines there, and a Commandant and Commissaries. It's thither the Negroes bring their Skins, Ivory, Slaves, and sometimes Ambergreese; as for gum-arabic, it's brought to us by the Moors, as I shall say hereafter.  

Commerce.  They give in Exchange to the Negroes, Linen, Cotton, Copper, Tin, Iron, Aquavitae, and some Glass Trifles; the Profit derived from this Commerce, is Eight Hundred for One. The Skins, and Ivory, and Gum, are carried to France; the Slaves are sent to the American Islands, to make Sugar.  

Traffic of Slaves.  The best are bought for ten Pieces frank, and sold again for a hundred Crowns. For five or six Pots of Aquavitae, one may have a good lusty Slave; so that they are bought cheaper than they are Transported, for their Transportation is very chargeable.  

The River of Senegal.  The River of Senegal is a branch of the Niger, coming out of this River about 600 Leagues above the Mouth of it, and runs through the Kingdom of Cantorsi, and thence divides itself into several branches; of which, the chief are Gambia, and Riorgande; of the last of which, I am wholly ignorant.  
The Senegal separates the Azoaghes, Moors or Bazanez, from the Blacks; so that of one side of the River are Moors, rather white than black; and of the other, Men perfectly black. 
Different Manners of the People.  The first have no certain Abode, but wander from place to place, Camping where they find Pasture for their cattle; whereas the second, that is, the Negroes, are fixed, and have their certain Towns and Habitations.  
The first are free, and acknowledge no Superior or Head, but whom they please; the last have Kings, who Tyrannise over them, and make them Slaves. 
Their different Genius.  The Moors are little, meager, and of a bad mien, and a crafty subtle Genius; the Negroes, of the contrary, are tall, thick, and well proportioned, but dull and stupid. The Country Inhabited by the Moors, is a sandy waste, wherein no green thing is to be seen; but that of the Negroes, is rich in Pasture and Mill, and abounds with Trees ever green, but scarce bear any Fruit that's fit to Eat.  

gum-arabic.  From these Moors we have the gum-arabic, they gather it in the Deserts of the Inward Lybia; it grows on the Trees as that that's gathered from Cherry and Plumb-Trees; they come to sell it about a Month or six Weeks before the overflow of the Niger.  
How the Moors ride on their Camels Horses and Oxen with their Merchandise.  
'Tis the Custom, partly, to subsist them when they come to Traffic; and to this end, to buy their Oxen of them, but they must Slaughter 'em themselves, or they want touch them, and they have some amongst them appointed for this Work. Yet, though they abound themselves in cattle, they seldom eat of 'em, except when likely to die of Distempers or Age.  

They are great Cheats.  'Tis an incredible trouble to Trade with them; for in all their Dealings they are either insolent or false. The Traffic being managed on the River, they can't play their Tricks so easily, for they Embark the Merchandise as they receive it from them. It's managed in the Months of May and June, thirty Leagues above the Factory.  

Their Insolence.  When all is over, they put a thousand affronts on you; when they catch a Frenchman, or any other White, they'll kill him to revenge a Quarrel of twenty Years past. About two Months ago, they took a Mariner that understood Arabic, whom one of the Captains of the Company had sent to Arguin, and demanded no less than fifty Slaves in Exchange for him.  

They dread Fire-Arms.  Never was Nation more false and perfidious; they are very dextrous in the use of Fire-Arms, the effect of which they dread to that degree, that three Whites, one day, hindered 400 of them from seizing a Vessel with which these came to Traffic, a shot that fell amongst them having frighted them from the Execution of their design.  
'Twas understood afterwards, that the greatest part of them were Moors of the side of Mount Atlas, who came to Depose Cheiratick, one of the most Powerful Negro Princes of these Countries; and of which I shall speak hereafter. They retire into the Inland Parts as soon as ever the Niger begins to overflow.  

The Kingdom of Senegal is very inconsiderable.  The Kingdom of Senegal was the chief of the Negro's Countries, and was formerly very considerable; at present 'tis not so, though they have a King truly Brave, for, through want of Strength, he is become Tributary to another. It's Power extends along the Waterside, 
It's Extent.  the space of 40 Leagues, without reckoning some little Signories near, which are Tributary to it, and about ten or twelve Leagues up the Land.  

Brac.  This King is called Brac, which is a Name of Dignity: Absolute as he is, he he is exceeding miserable, often wanting Mill to Eat. He is so delighted with Horses, that for the most part he'll content himself with a Pipe of Tabaco, 
Character of the King of Senegal.  and a little Aquavitae, to spare the Mill to his Horses; he uses them in Plundering the weakest of his Neighbours, and driving away their Oxen, in which their Riches consist; and sometimes makes them Slaves, and sells them for Aquavitae.  

How he spares his Aquavitae.  When it grows low, he shuts up what is left in a Coffer, and gives the Key of it to one of his Favourites, whom he sends thirty Leagues off, on some trifling Message to his Wives, that he mayn't drink in the mean time; and so makes it last as long as he can.  

How he Tyranizes' over his Subjects.  But whatever he does by his Neighbours, he makes his Subjects feel him, running up and down his own Country, remaining two days in one Town, three in another, obliging them to maintain himself and his whole Train, which is composed of about 200 subtle Fellows, refined by their Conversation with the Whites, from whom they only learn what's bad. When they have ruined the Villages, they make Slaves of whom they please on the least pretence.  

The Treachery of his Subjects in selling one another.  But if the Prince is Perfidious, his Subjects are no less, for they'll sell one another without regard to Proximity of Blood or Relation; so that the Father shall sell his Son, and the Son his Father and Mother, as it happens. When they have such a design on any Person, they will desire his help to carry their Merchandise to the Factory, and when they have them there they sell them privately, and deliver them when they don't understand the Language.  

A particular instance of this kind.  Behold an Example of this kind, which happened some time ago, and confirms what I have said. One of these Barbarians had formed a design against his own Son to sell him, the Son perceived it, but dissembled the matter; understanding the French Tongue, while his Father was absent a little, he comes to the Magazine, declares he had a Slave, treats, and agrees for the Price, and delivers him up. This pretended Slave was his Father, who, when he was going to be Ironed, rages, and cries out, He was his own Son who offered to sell him; the other denies, and marches off.  
But his guilt was not long a punishing; for returning home with his Goods, he meets a chief Lord, who stripped him of all he had, made him a Slave, and sold him to the Factory.  

Cheyratick.  After the States of Brac, we meet those of Cheyratick; that is to say, the thrice great, the Emperor. On this last depend ten little Kings, and other little Sovereigns; his Empire extends itself of both sides of the River Senegal, 
Extent of his Empire.  and contains near 300 Leagues of Country. His Lands bear Dates and Mill; and yield good Pasture, in which great numbers of Beasts are nourished. His People are called Fowls, they are not black, nor so white as the Moors, but are of a middle colour.  
They are more Civilised than the other Negroes, and receive strangers very kindly; and when any of our Mariners are ill used by their Captains, as it often happens, they run to Cheyratick for shelter, who receives them very kindly.  

His Food.  His ordinary Food is Mill, Beef, and Dates, and drinks Milk, and never any Wine or Aquavitae▪ observing the Law of Mahomet more exactly than the other Negroes. He is able to bring 50000 Men into the Field, but for want of Provisions can't subsist there long.  

The Countries of the Fargotts and the Enguellands.  Passing beyond the States of Cheyratick, you come to the Countries of the Faregotts and Enguelland, 3000 Leagues from our Habitation, we Traffic too with them; they differ in nothing from the Fowls. As I did'nt go any higher, my knowledge is bounded here, and I know nothing beyond it.  

Concourse of the River Senegal.  After this River has rolled from Cantorsi, and divers great Islands, it casts itself into the Sea by two openings, in 15 Degrees 32 Minutes of South Latitude. Between the Sea and the River, there is a sort of Dike, or Hill of Sand, which in the widest part is not above a little Canonshot; this obstacle occasions continuing its Course for six Leagues, before it rolls into the Sea, though their Waters run even. But as at length this Dike is pierced in two places, three Leagues distant one from the other, through them, and it loses itself, at last, in the Sea; between which an Island is formed.  
At each of these Mouths, several Banks of Sand are gathered, which the River drives down, and the Sea drives back, and makes a very dangerous passage for Shipping. The continual motion of the Sea finding a resistance from these Banks, causes it to rise to an incredible height, and strands or shatters the Ships to pieces; and then there is no escape for the Equipage, for if they Swim for't, 
Sort of Fish.  the Requiems are sure to devour them; else this passage is not dangerous, but when the Tides are low, and not then when the Niger overflows.  

Particular of the overflow of the Niger.  That which is singular in its Inundations is, That they still force new Passages through the Dike into the Sea; it's about twenty Years since, that it forced a passage over against that Island which is the Habitation of the French; they were obliged to remove up higher. This Mouth is stopped now, making its passage in other places; and they so fill one another up, that none ever remain but the two last.  
Several European Nations Traded formerly to this River; at present none but the French.  
Having spoken several times of the Inundations of the Niger, it will be proper to observe when, and how this happens; yet without insisting on Physical Causes, if happily they may be discovered by particular Circumstances. Behold such as have appeared to me.  

When, and how the overflow of the Niger happens.  The Heats are excessive in the Torrid Zone, for it does not Rain there at all, or, at most, but very little, unless in the Months of July, August, and September. To the South of the Equinoctial Line, the Rains fall earlier, and in greater abundance, during that time, and are accompanied with raging Storms, and followed with so great a Calm, and such excessive Heats, that it's as much as one can do to fetch one's breath. Two or three hours after, the Tempest rallies, and so alternately during the three Months. This causes violent Distempers, Fevers, Cholorae-Morbus, Ulcers in the Legs, Worms of four or five Foot long in the extremities, and frequent Convulsions, followed by Paralyses and Death.  
All that's said of the Causes of the Inundation of the River Nile, is well known of all, and therefore I shall not repeat it here. That of the Niger must have the same Cause, which I believe is, That the Sun in repassing the Line of Cancer, which in France makes the Summer Solstice, and here the Winter, amasses the Vapours, 
The Cause.  which dissolve afterwards in heavy and continual Rains; and, probably, cause these overflowings.  
These Rains commence in Aethiopia, in April, continue May and June. Here 'tis about the 15th of July, they increase for forty days, and decrease for as many. This Inundation, which enriches the Country, is not general, nor extends beyond the Neighbourhood of the River. At this time, the Bed of the River is not known; its Channel neither being deep enough to contain its Waters; nor having Current enough to sweep them into the Sea, they drowned the Valleys and the lower Grounds, and cover all.  
'Tis dangerous at these times to Sail on these Rivers, and chiefly on the River of Senegal, unless you understand the Channel very well; for when the Waters come to retire, a Vessel may be left on an Eminence, or in a deep place, from whence it can't be drawn out.  
It's about 15 Years since a thing happened that confirms the truth of what I say: 
An attempt to Sail from Senegal to Gambia.  Messieurs of the Company, willing to take the advantage of the Inundation, sent Barks to discover the Country, about the place of the separation of these Arms of the Niger; they were willing to try if it was practicable to pass from the River of Senegal to that of Gambia; the Trade of which, the English, who are Masters of the Mouth of it, hinder others from, by the means of a Fort which they have there. And as there it no attempting this Discovery but at this time, when, by the advantage of the Inundation, you pass over Rocks that are dry at other times, they Manned their Barks with 30 Men, who passed almost 400 Leagues from our Habitation, but they encountered so many difficulties, that but five returned; having once lost the Bed of the River, their Bark, amongst others, sat dry on some Trees, but happily, 'twas not far from the Channel; so they made a shift to hale it into it again.  
After Monsieur Dancourt had dispatched in these Quarters, what he judged was most for the advantage of the Company, finding the Barhure, or Entrance, was free to pass, by reason of a gentle Easterly gale that blew then, he passed it in a Bark designed for that use, which put us Aboard the Ship called the Fame, which waited for us in the Road, being willing to avoid the fatigue of a Land Journey.  

1683.  The 10th of June 1683. we weighed Anchor, and Salled for Goree; we Coasted it all along, and the prospect was very Charming, of long extended Groves of Trees ever green. After he had run along all the Coast, and given his Orders in all the Coutoirs, we returned to our Course which we had held, and spent eight days in coming back. Mark what I have observed of these places in the little time I was there.  

What People they are who Inhabit the Coast▪ from the Mouth of the Senegal, as far as Gambia.  The People who Inhabit the Coast, from the Mouth of the Senegal to the River of Gambia, are divided into three, namely, the Geloffes, the Sereres, and the Barbesins; they are Governed by several little Kinglings, but very Absolute in their several Governments. The most considerable of them all, is the King of Amel, Sovereign of the Geloffes; the Name of Amel is not appropriated to him, 'tis a Name of Dignity. As all their Governments are much alike, (as are the People, and the Country) I shall by an Account of this one, give you an Account of all the rest.  

The Geloffes.  The Geloffes Inhabit from the Mouth of Senegal, going South, within six or seven Leagues of Cape-Verde; this makes from North to South 40 Leagues of Coast, and from East to West 100 up the Land.  

The Sereres.  The Country of the Sereres has for its King him whom we Name Portugady, from a Town of that Name, which belongs to him. Jain is the Name of his Dignity, it includes ten or twelve Leagues of Coast, and almost 100 up the Country.  

The Barbecins.  The Kingdom of the Barbecins, otherwise of Jovial, (for the same reason I alleged concerning that of Sereres) is Governed by a King whose Name I have forgot; he has no more Country than the precedent, with whom he is often at War.  
Besides these three Nations, there is another, who are a sort of Portuguese; a Nation who name themselves so, because they were formerly subject to them, and are descended from those who first inhabited this Coast, after the discovery of it. From the Negresses, whom they married, were born the Mulato's, from whom are descended a more swarthy Race: They may also be Fugitives too of Cape-Verd, or Cacheau, another Colony of this Nation, on one of the Branches of the River of Gambia, distant thence three days journey. As they have followed the Religion of their old Masters, they are partly Jews and partly Catholics; they wear a Cope like our Chanters. No one is greater than another, but at the same time they are false and malicious, having all the Vices of the Portugueses, without any of their Virtues.  

Nature of the Soil.  Almost all these Places are sandy and barren; the Heats are more violent there in January, than in July and August in France. It Rains there in the manner as I have said already, speaking of Senegal.  

At what time they Cultivate their Grounds.  The Country is Peopled, and abounds with Trees: They begin to Cultivate their Grounds at the end of June, and sow a little after the Rains; they gather in their Harvest in September; so that in three months' time they manure, sow, and reap. This shows the good nature of the Soil, and if better improved by the Inhabitants, who are very lazy, that it would produce Grain in abundance: I mean, their Mill.  

How they Cultivate their Grounds.  Their manner of Cultivating is pleasant, they go four or five together into the Field, which they call Cougan, or Courgar, and with a sort of a round Shovel of Iron with a Wood head, they break up the Earth, which they cast before them, not entering the Sword of the Ground above three or four Fingers deep, still with the Pipe in their Mouths, and talking two Hours for one they work. And when the Ground is thus cultivated, they sow it as they do Pease in France, without taking care to lay up any Grain; 
The little Care they take to live.  and are so excessive careless, that they don't gather half what's necessary for them, and then they live on a black insipid Root which they dry, and on another called Gernot, that tastes like a Hazel Nut: If their Harvest chances to fail, they die of hunger.  

A Cheat of one of their Priests, or Marabouse.  'Tis not above five Years since such a thing happened, seduced by the Promises of a Marabou, the Name of their Priests. He was of those Azoages, or Arabs, of whom I have spoken: Under a pretence of Religion, he made himself Master of the whole Country, from Chegratick to the Sereres; telling them he was raised up by Heaven to scourge the Tyranny of their Kings; he offered to prove his Mission by Miracles, and particularly by that of making their Grounds bring fourth more abundantly, and that without any Labour of theirs.  
Their Laziness was sufficiently charmed with such a Promise, they all side with this Impostor, particularly those of the Kingdom of Damel; 
It causes a Revolt.  their King was deposed, and their Neighbours plundered in this Revolt. They lived still in hopes of the Miracle, and past two Years expecting it, but to no purpose, so that they eat one another for want of Food, and were obliged to give themselves up for Slaves: Time at last disabused them, and they drove away the Tyrant and Impostor, and Damel was restored. They entertain no Marabouse ever since; and if they catch any, they make them Slaves.  
Besides, they have white and black Beans very like French Beans, and Melons full of an insipid Water. They make use of Corn in making their Couscouse, as they call in Arabic; or Laguerre, in their own Language, which is their most common Food. The Fruit which we call Bananes, and in the Canaries, the Apple of Adam, is common amongst them; they rear Oxen, and Cows, and Goats; and he who has the largest Stock is the most esteemed of. 
In what their Riches consists.  Their Beefs are no larger than a Calf of eight or nine Months in France. I believe the drought is the cause; for along the River of Senegal, they are as large as in Europe.  
How the Negroes gather the wine from the Palm trees  
How they mount the Palm trees  
How the Negroes make incisions to get the Palm wine  
How they are habited  

How they get the Wine out of the Palm-trees.  Through the Incisions which the Negroes make in the Palm-trees, there distils a Liquor of a Pearl Colour, which is called Palm-Wine; 'tis sweet and pleasant to drink the first day, but it will intoxicate; and afterwards it loses its sweetness, sowering every day more and more; tho' the older it is, it still the more affects the Head. One of these Trees may yield about three Pints of this Liquor. They commonly regal Strangers with it, and the most considerable Persons are never without it: this same Tree produces a sort of little Cocoes, from which they draw the Punic Oil, of the smell of Violets, of the taste of Olives, and the colour of Saffron. It enters into the Composition of Musselin Oil, and Alexandrin Nicolas. These Trees pay Custom to the Alzair, or Lord of the Town.  
As the Palm is high and without Branches, and that it's necessary to make Incisions in two or three places below the leafy tuft, 
Their way of mounting them.  (which is the glory of the Tree,) they climb up after this manner; they have a sort of a Hoop made of Brass, which may be tied or loosened as one will, into which they enter; they as 'twere sit upon't, and placing their Feet against the Tree, supported behind by this Hoop, as firmly as if they were on the Ground, they reach the top, make their Incisions, and fasten the Bases to receive the Liquor which distils; 'twould frighten one almost to see them so high, and supported by so slight a thing.  

Of the several sorts of Animals there.  All along the Coast, there is a prodigious variety of Animals, of which I don't pretend to describe all the several sorts, being little versed in this sort of Learning, I shall only speak of those I know, of which one may see a great number in Europe, by the care which divers Princes have taken to have them transported, as they are seen there in their natural wildness, before they are tamed; what I am about to say of them, will perhaps give a more particular Idea of them.  
The greatest numbers of these fierce Creatures are seen about Ponds and Pits which the Rains have filled; 
The Places where they are commonly seen.  Morning and Evening they come thither in droves, as do the tamer sorts: There you may see Elephants, Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Onces, Wolves, Tiger-Cats, Civit-Cats, Foxes, wild Goats, etc.  

Of the Elephant.  That which is remarked of the Elephant is, that he is not to be attacked in a place where he may freely turn himself, else he throws all down with his Trunk, and treads them to death. I don't know at what time the Female brings forth her young, but she has often three at a time: He lives on Grass and Leaves, which he conveys to his Mouth with his trunk; they often pass the Night in Towns, and so little fear frequented Places, that instead of avoiding the Negro's Houses, they'll go directly to them, and toss them out of their way like Nutshells.  

Of the Lion.  The Lion seeks his Prey with Art, he never sets directly upon't, but fetches a compass, creeping along on the Ground; and when he is within reach leaps upon't; he is so mild and manageable when young, that we have had of them as tame and familiar as Dogs.  

The Tiger.  The Tiger is more fierce than the Lion, and is much of the same height and length with the Greyhound, he sets indifferently on Men or Beasts; the Negroes kill a great many of them with their Zagays and their Arrows to get their Skins, but tho' wounded near so much, they still defend themselves, and seldom fail of killing some before they fall.  

The Leopard.  The Leopard is fierce and active; unless he meets a Man in a narrow place where he can't avoid him, he won't set upon him; but if does, he flies upon him, fastens his talons in his Face, and tears away as much Flesh as they can grasp, and so kills him. He is a mortal Enemy of Dogs, and devours them wherever he meets them.  

The Once.  The Once, which is said to be fiercer than the Tiger, is in my Opinion the same Species, or at least that which we call a Panther; his Skin is more beautiful than a Tiger's, tho' he is spotted alike.  

The Tiger-Cat.  The Tiger-Cat is so named by reason of his white and black Spots. He is shaped like our Cats, only four times as big; he is of a devouring nature, and eats Apes, Rats, and other Animals.  

The Civet-cat.  The Civet-cat has the Head and Snout of a Fox; he is large and spotted like the other, and very wild; every two days they take the Civit from him, which is a certain Muscosity, or clammy Sweat which he has under his Tail in a hollow place.  
I have seen no Rinoceros', tho' there are some here.  

Apes, how many sorts.  There are several sorts of Apes, as the Munky, with a long tail, and the Baboon, who has none at all: I have not seen of this last sort; as for the first they abound every where: Of these there are three sorts, of which two are very low, and do little mischief. 
Thoughts of the Negroes.  Of this little sort, there are some they call Weepers, having a lamentable sort of a cry. Of the other sort, there are some almost as big as Monkeys, not only their Hands and Feet resemble a Man's, but their very Actions; so that the Negroes say of them, that they can speak if they will, but that they won't for fear of being forced to work. They know that we take delight in them, tho' they are so mischievous; which I believe gave occasion to the Negroes of Senegal, to bring us Rats in Cages; as if we took delight in none but mischievous Creatures, saying, that as our Humour rerembled theirs, 'twas not much to be wondered that we loved them.  
'Tis incredible what waste they make when the Mill and other Grain which they live on is ripe; 
Their waste and cunning.  they assemble 40 or 50 together, and then go to the Cougan; one of them stands Sentry on a Tree out of the Field, and hearkens and looks about on all sides, while the others are gathering the Harvest; as soon as ever he perceives any one, he cries out as loud as ever he can, to give notice to the rest; who presently at the Signal, fly with their Prey, leaping from one Tree to another with strange Agility; the Female, which carries her young ones against her Belly, leaps too as the rest, and as if she carried nothing.  

Dear in abundance here.  They eat a great deal of Venison here, and Boars are common; but have no taste like ours, and their Flesh is white like Pork. The Wild-Goat, the Kid, and the Hare are found here in great store.  

The Stag.  I have seen none here like those in France; but some others, who have Horns like the Capriorn; on the Mountains in Switzerland, only they are straight.  

Several sorts of Birds.  A great many sorts of Birds are seen here, that are not known in Europe, of which a great many live only on Fish; among the rest, there is one named the Great Throat, it's twice as big as a Swan, having a Beak of a Cubit long, and a Skin hanging below, that makes the Throat look like a Sack. It swallows whole Fishes as big as ordinary Carp. The Cormorants and the Vultures are the same as in Europe; of the last there are some as big as Eagles, that devour young Children when they can meet 'em alone.  
I have seen strange Birds, and of such various Colours, as I am not able to describe: 
Nightingales.  the Nightingales don't sing there so agreeably as in Europe.  
I have already spoke of the Ostrich, of which some are of a prodigious size; those that fly are delicate Meat, and several Parts of them are of several tastes; they are as thick as a Swan, their Feathers grey and black. The wild Geese are very good; but the Teal above all, are of incomparable relish. On the River Senegal the grey exceed the rest in goodness.  
The Partridge perches on the Trees there like other Birds; as do the Hens which the Portuguese call Pintades: these Hens are speckled white and grey, having a little red Crest above the Ears; they are larger than ours; and I look upon them to be a sort of a Partridge.  

Parrots.  The Parrots there are of two sorts, the one little, and all green; the other bigger, have a grey Head, a yellow Belly, green Wings, and the Back partly yellow, partly grey: these never talk, but the small ones have a sweet clear voice, & learn whatever they are taught.  

Observation on the industrious Care of a little Bird.  Of all these several sorts of Birds, I have seen none so industrious and careful, as a certain little one that builds his Nest in the Palmtree after a singular manner, and by a marvellous instinct, secures it from the Serpents that creep up the Trees; they build at the very extremity of the slightest Branch, to which they fasten a Stalk of a Rush or Straw, the strongest they are able to carry, and about a Foot and a half long, and at the end which hangs down in the Air they build their Nests, leaving an Entrance at the top a little of one side: It looks like a Ball hanging in the Air. The Branch to which it is fastened is so weak, that it can bear nothing that would approach to hurt it, and so they are out of fear.  
The Sea is very Fishy all along the Coast, and almost all sorts are there; of which the most devouring have broad and long teeth, in two or three several rows; 
The abundance of Fish.  those which they most commonly eat are Parquese, the Goldfish, Vieiles, Tunny, Mullet and Racoas, of the shape of a Salmon, Negers, Sales, Sardes, and a multitude of Sardines, that fill the Sea at certain times.  

The Requiem.  The Requiem, the Monster of the Sea, that's shaped like a Sea-Dog, is in length from three or four Foot to eight: She parts with her Young alive, and has the Matrix like our Dogs, and the rest like a Fish: this is the most dangerous of all, and eats whatever comes in its way; it's dangerous swimming near the Place where they are, for there's no scaping.  

Marsovin or Sea-Pig.  The Mursovin, or Sea-Pig, is of the bigness of the Requiem, and good to eat; it won't meddle with a Man: It has Fat, but of an ill taste; its Ribs and Entrails are like those of a Hog, except that they have two Stomaches, the one at the end of the Osophage, the other adhering to one side, almost as big as the first; and to this last there is a little opening, which performs the Communication from one to the other: It's filled with little Cells, like those in the Wax before the Honey is separated from it; the Duodenum, if I remember right, has its rise in this last; I had not time to examine it thoroughly, because the Seamen had quite mangled it.  

The Whales.  The Whales, as vast as they are in length and thickness, so that they are often as big as a Vessel of 26 tun, yet don't overset any Ships, as is commonly reported of them, unless it be little Barks or Sloops.  

Souffleur.  The Souffleur almost like a Whale, but much less, casts Water like it, but threw one Passage only, which is above his Snout, whereas the other has two there.  

Observation on a Fish.  There is another, the Name of which I don't know, that has a Bone four Foot long in his upper Jaw, traversed on the sides with others that are less, but very sharp, ranged like the Steps of a Ladder within, which he uses to catch others withal.  

Spronton.  There is one which the Seamen call Spronton, that has a great Bone in the same place that the precedent has, with this difference from the other, that it's straight, and sharp pointed; I believe it's the same with that which we call Naruval: 
The Naruval.  This Bone of which I speak, resembles the pretended Horn of the fancied Unicorn: He can pierce a Ship with it, so as it shall take in Water, if it does not happen, that in drawing the Bone out again he breaks it; in which case he stops the Hole he has made.  

The Succer  The Succer, so called from his fastening himself, as he is of the bigness of a Sole; when he fastens himself to the Helm he retards the Ship, but does not stop it, as is falsely reported of the Remora.  
The Amphibies are not common on these Coasts, nor are the Crocodile, the Sea-Horse, the Sea-Calf, the Lemantine, or the Tortoise often seen here, unless at the Mouth of the River of Senegal and Gambia.  

Crocodiles.  In the Marshes and Ponds are found little Crocodiles of about five Foot, of which some are Venomous, and some not. There are some that are perfect Serpents; they retire thither where there are most Ants, because these little Creatures make them a sort of Forts, in raising from space to space little Hillocks of Earth, of ten, fifteen, and twenty Foot high, hollow below like an Oven, and so disposed, that at a distance one would fancy them to be a Village.  

The Crocodiles of Gambia.  In Gambia there are Crocodiles of thirty Foot long, and thick in proportion, so as that they'll swallow a Buck whole; they are very dangerous; their Tail is as long as all the rest of their Body; their Skin is so hard, that a Zagage will scarce pierce it. There are some of them that live on Fish, and others that devour Men; and in order to surprise them, they'll keep themselves at some distance in the places frequented, and when they get near those who swim, or are in Cannoos, or come near large Oxen swimming, they clasp them with their Tails, and eat them; they move only the upper Jaw, the lower not stirring; they do little mischief out of the Water; when the Negroes kill them they eat them; they leave their Eggs on the Land, and cover them with Sand; as soon as they are hatched they return into the Waters, or the Woods.  

Sea Horse.  The Sea-Horse, such as is seen in the Niger, is as big as an Ass, and is shaped like a Horse; his Skin is as hard, and without Hair; he lives on the Land as well as in the Water, out of which he does not go but to feed. He ruins the Mill and Rice, for he destroys ten times more than he eats; he is dangerous to the Negro's Canoes, which he is apt to overturn, yet without hurting the Men; he has two great Teeth that serve the same use that Ivory does.  

Sea-Ox.  The Sea-Ox, that lives on the Land as well as in the Water, resembles a Calf of six Months old.  

Lamantin, a sort of Fish.  There are more Lamantin's in the River of Senegal than in that of Gambia: he is like the Marsovin for Bigness, for Flesh, and Fat. When he is out of the Water he makes use of his Fins instead of Feet. This is all the knowledge I could get of this kind. I now proceed to speak of the Manners and Genius of the Negroes.  

Character of the Negroes.  The Negroes are all well made, and proportinably tall: You see none lame nor crooked amongst them, unless by accident; they are stupid and without address, even in the least things; great Liars, but greater Thiefs; thievery is the only thing they are dextrous in, and are such Masters at it, that they'll steal from us before our Faces, without our perceiving them, drawing with one Foot to them, what they would be at, and taking it up behind.  

Their deceit in Traffic.  When any Mountaineers (for so they call those who live up Land) come to traffic with us, there is no sort of Cheat which the Negroes of the Coast don't put upon 'em; for under the pretence of helping them to carry their Goods, and serving them as Interpreters, they retain half from them of what we pay them, as though they had a real Interest in the Goods.  
The severity with which their Kings punish those who steal in the Night, and such as are taken in the Fact, can't cure them of this Distemper, notwithstanding the greatness of it; which is no less than to be Slaves to those whom they have robbed. 
They have no fear of Punishment.   
Whoever's obliged to make use of the Negroes for Interpreters, are very unhappy, and exposed to all their Knavery; they scarce interpret a word honestly, and in the sense 'tis spoke, 
How Knavish they are.  and always contrive it to our disadvantage; which often makes our Markets litigious.  

They are troublesome, intemperate, and brutal.  They are every way insupportable, but chiefly when they think themselves necessary in any Affair: their Intemperance is excessive, still swallowing Aqua Vitae, for Palm-Wine is not plentiful enough amongst them to be always at hand. Their Drunkenness is accompanied with a total depravation of Reason, and a furious Brutality.  

Their Ignorance.  They don't know what belongs to Restitution, and have no shadow of Civility: their Ignorance is so great as not to know that twice two makes four, or their Age, or the Day of the Week; for which they have no Names.  
Their Maraboux, who have some little tincture of Arabic, write their Griz-Griz in that Tongue: I shall explain this Word hereafter.  

Their good Quality.  These People have but one good Quality, which is Hospitality; for they want let a Stranger of their Nation pass without making him eat and drink, and that sometimes for several Days. Having a mighty value sor their Aquavitae, when they would drink of it, they do it privately, and out of the sight of their Guest, that they mayn't be obliged to give them share; they make the Mountaineer pay for their Hospitality towards them, by cheating them of the Aquavitae they receive in exchange for their Goods, and generally send them away with half what they brought.  

Their Poverty.  They are all extremely poor, having no other Riches but a few Oxen, the richest may have forty or fifty, or three or four Horses, with as many Slaves; but they are extraordinary, when they have any Bracelets of Gold, to the value perhaps of eleven or twelve Pistols each.  

Their great love of Praise.  Tho' they have neither Wit nor Sense, they love Praise to that degree, that they have a sort of People called Guiriotz, who have nothing else to do but to perform this Piece of Service; the Guiriotz carry a sort of a Drum, of four or five Foot long, made of the trunk of a hollowed Tree, which they beat with their Hands or with small Sticks; they have Timbrels too of the Morisco Fashion, which resemble our Ball Baskets, crossed with little Strings, which they touch with one Hand, while they strike with the other.  

Their Instruments.  I observed they made use of another Instrument that is sufficiently harmonious, if they knew how to play on't; it sounds like a Harp, and consists of a Range of several Calebasses or Strings of different sizes, ranked under stops, and disposed in a tuneable order, like those of the Harpsicord.  
I have seen another of their Instruments that would be proper in the Chamber of a sick Person: 
Another Instrument  It's a sort of a Lute, made of a piece of hollowed Wood, covered with Leather, with two or three Strings of Hair. It's covered on the Stops with little Plates of Iron, and adorned with little Bells like a Tabor.  

The Guiriots', whose Employment is to sing Praises.  The Guiriots tune these several Instruments to their own wretched Voices, and so sing the Panegyrics of the most considerable Persons: Which commonly run thus; that they are great Lords, Rich Powerful as the Whites, who are the chief Slaves of the King; and a great deal of this kind of stuff.  
These are transported with these Praises, and recompense them largely; nay, they go so far as to strip themselves of their very clothes to reward them for them, tho' ne'er so groundless and extravagant. And indeed, when they don't reward these Fellows, they are for taking their Revenge, 
Their Revenge if not rewarded.  crying them down again, and vilifying them up and down as much as they had extolled them before; which is looked upon as the greatest Affront imaginable.  
How their Lords and conciderable persons are accouterd.  
These Guiriots employ themselves sometimes in singing our Praises too, but they find but little Encouragement for't; leaving the Negroes to enjoy and pay for this sort of Happiness: they praise us in these terms, that we are Great, Rich, and Lords of the Sea.  

The Habit of the Blacks.  The Habit of the Blacks is very plain, the Poor have only a Cotton Rag, about half a quarter of a Yard wide, to cover their Nakedness: It's fastened with a String that serves them for a Girdle; they let the two Ends of the Cloth hang down behind and before, which they reckon very Honourable, and a great Ornament.  

Habit of the most considerable.  The Lords and considerable Persons are better habited, they have a Cotton Frock made like the Cordelier's Robes, with long and large Sleeves; they are not plaited in the Neck, having only a hole for the Head to pass through, like the Shirts of the Europeans; they wear them of all Colours, some Blue, some Yellow, some Fillimot, etc.  
Since these Jackets reach but half way down the Thigh, they wear withal a sort of Breeches of the same, which reach from the Waist to the Knee: these Breeches are so large, that they take up no less than five els of Linen; they resemble a Woman's Petticoat that is gathered at the bottom, and in which only two holes were left on the fides to put the Legs through; the largest are the most fashionable.  
They wear on their Heads a sort of Bonnets that are strait at the Entrance, but wide at the other End; almost like the Cowls of the Capuchins of the Jacobins. The common Sort go barefoot, but the People of Quality wear Sandals made of a piece of Leather beneath, in the form of a Sole, and fastened at top with a thong, which ties them to the Foot, like the Sandals of the Ancients.  
Their Hair, though short, is very well plaited; they set it out with Gris-Gris's of Silver, Leather, Coral, Copper, etc. They wear Rings at their Ears of Tin, Silver, and Copper; but they who are of the Race of Slaves, are not allowed to wear their Hair.  

How the Women and Maids are habited.  The Girls and Women are naked from the Waist upwards, unless the cold obliges them to wrap themselves up; they cover the other part of their Body with a Paigne; that is, a Cotton Cloth stripped after their Fashion, and of the bigness of a little Towel that reaches down to the leg: their Hair too is tressed and set out with Coral and other little Ornaments: their Coifs make a topping on their Heads of half a Foot high: the higher they are, the more they are esteemed.  

The Boys and Girls go quite naked.  The Girls and Boys go quite naked to the Age of eleven or twelve. The Women and Men adorn their Arms and Legs with Coral, and Bracelets of Gold, Silver, Tin, and Copper, according to their Ability.  
The Cotton with which these People Cloth themselves, would be very plentiful amongst them, if they bestowed that Pains, on't which they should; but they content themselves with what's just enough, and sometimes with less: the Women spin the Cotten, and the Men make the Cloth, which is not above five Finger's breadth in the Piece, for want of necessary Utensils to make it wider; for otherwise they are as good Weavers as in France; but forced to join ten or twelve Pieces together, to have a Paigne of an Ell wide.  

Their Food called Sanglet and Coscouse.  Mill is the ordinary Food of the Western Negroes; the Women who make it ready, make Sanglet or Coscouse of it: Which are their terms to signify two sorts of Meats.  

How the Women prepare the Sanglet.  They begin at break of Day to make their Sanglets, for it requires full six Hours to make it; they go two or three together to prepare it, pound it in wooden Mortars that are high and deep, not having any Mills for that purpose: When Mill has quitted its Husk, they winnow it with Fans made of Palm-Leaves, to separate it from the Chaff: then they boil it with Milk, or Butter, or a Bovillon of Flesh, or dried Fish, or with Water.  

How they make the Coscouse.  The Coscouse, which is their best Victuals, is made too of Mill beaten very fine, which they fan as before; when it's clean, they put a little into a very narrow Bowl, and sprinkle a little Water on't; after which they knead and turn it, then sprinkle a little more Water, then knead it again, which they repeat till they have reduced this Mass into little Balls; afterwards they dry them, and then put them into an Earthen Pot full of holes, on another in which they boil Meat seasoned with Spice and Palm Oil: this Ragou is very fine well prepared, and the Sand well dressed out, which is seldom done.  

Their Provision for the War.  When they go to War, they carry a little Sack of a Foot long, and the thickness of one's Arm, full of Coscouse thus dressed. As the Women dress it every day, they take no small Pains. And if the Wives of Europe were to take the same Care of their Husbands, they would think they were very hardly used.  

Their Drink.  They drink Palm-Wine, which is not very plentiful, and stinking Water of the Pits; and often of the Salt-Water of the Sea, where it has strained through; they drink Milk too when they have it.  
As Ambition is a Vice or a Passion unknown to those People, they little mind the building of Cities, or Castles, or Houses of State and Grandeur; nor have they Materials for the doing of it, if they take the Pains: they live but in Villages, where the Houses are such as I have already described, which differ according to the Quality and Ability of the Person. They who live near the Palm-trees inhabit in the best, tho' they too have neither Windows nor Doors.  

They have several Houses.  The House of a great Lord shall consist sometimes of thirty Pavilions, which they call Combettes, and sometimes of forty or fifty: An ordinary Persons shan't have above two or three: the King's has above a hundred, tho' covered with Straw like t●e rest.  
Those of Persons of Quality are enclosed with Palisades of Straw or Thorns, 
Houses of the Great.  supported from space to space with States; the Combettes communicate all one within another, by ways disposed in the form of a Labyrinth: Round the House, according to the capacity of the Owner, are seen beautiful Trees, but in another Order than Nature has placed them.  

The House of King Damel.  The Palace of King Damel exceeds all the rest; before you come to the Gate of the Palisades, which makes the first Enclosure, you see a spacious Field, where his Horses are managed, of which he has no great Number: Without, by the side of this Palisade, are the Apartments of the great Lords. From this Place you go into the Palace by a large Avery, it is adorned with a great number of Trees, which we called Calbassiers, because their Fruit resembles a Calbass.  
Persons who are employed nearest the King, have their Apartments by the side of this Avenue; and their nearness to, or distance from the Combette Royal, shows their Degree. Each of their Apartments being also enclosed with Palasades, you must pass a great many Courts before you come to the King's; few Persons daring go into his Apartment.  
All his Wives have their distinct Lodgings, 
The Apartments of the King's Wives.  and each five or six Slaves to wait on them. The King may lie with which he pleases, without creating a Jealousy in any of them: there is one commonly whom he loves above all the the rest; and when ever he is weary of her, he sends her to some Village with her Slaves, and gives her sufficient Lands for her maintenance; to her succeeds another. Of thirty which he keeps one half are in the Country.  

The Religion of the Negroes.  The Negroes from this Coast to Gambia, observe the Law of Mahomet; but in the Parts towards Siera, Liona, and the Golden Coast, they have for the most part no Religion at all; or, at least, worship the first Thing they meet in a Morning. Formerly they were Idolaters, worshipping the Devil, to whom they sacrificed Bullocks; and tho' they eat Flesh, yet they believe a transmigration of Souls.  

Their Pagan Opinions.  And there are some of them who would not have certain Lizards killed, that run about their Houses, saying, It's the Soul of their Fathers or their Mothers, that come to make merry with them; which they call Folgar.  

From whom they derive their Religion.  They derive their Religion from the Arabian Azoughes, of whom I have already told you, the ordinary People have very little, as having but small knowledge of it; the great ones are more Religious, having commonly a Moorish Maraboux to live with them, who have a great Ascendant over them: 
At what times they say their daily Prayers.  they say their Sala or Prayers three times a Day, Morning at Sun-rise, about Noon, and in the Evening, some in the Afternoon; the ordinary People pray little, nor do not trouble themselves with the building of Mosques.  

Mosques of the King and the great Ones.  The King and the Grandees have Mosques; they are covered with Straw like their other Houses. They first stand a long while in them, looking towards the Sunrising, than they advance two steps forwards, muttering some words to themselves; 
Their Exercises and Ceremonies in their Mosques.  then prostrate themselves all along on the Ground, with their Faces to the Earth; to raise themselves on their Knees, make a Circle round them on the Ground, and twice or thrice about their Heads: they afterwards kiss the Earth at several bowings, putting Sand on their Foreheads with both their Hands; and repeat the same Ceremony again for the space of half an Hour.  

Their ridiculous Prayers.  One prays that he may have no Enemies, but such as he may be able to defeat; that their Deity would do them no harm; another, that he would give them handsome Wives, and plenty of Mill, and so forth. Nothing being able to divert them while they are at Prayers; nay, tho' they saw their very Houses a fire.  

They believe Predestination.  They believe Predestination, and when any Misery befalls them, they say it comes from their God; so that if one Negro is killed by another, he says, that their God has killed him: Yet for all that, they seize the Homicide if they can, and cause him to be sold for a Slave.  

Their Superstition.  They are so Superstitious, that they imagine, the having a certain Spells about them, they cannot be touched by any wild Beasts that approach them; and while they are thus defended by Enchantment, they believe nothing can cause their Death nor draw them into Misfortunes.  

Their Gris-grisses, or Relics.  They have a certain Character, which they call Gris-grisses: they are Billets, the Characters of which are Arabic, intermixed with Necromantic Figures, which the Maraboux sell them. Some, as they imagine, preserve them from being wounded, enable them to swim well, and procure them good success in Fishing; others to have a good many Wives and Children▪ to prevent their being made Captives; and for whatever they love or fear.  

Their Confidence in them.  They have so strong a Confidence in them, that there are some of them that would stand the shot of an Arrow without fear: they are ●●ir●ss'd with them, having them on all parts of their Bodies, that often a Zagaye will scarce enter them. The great Lords above all others, have their Vests and Bonnets covered with them, and are so loaded with them, that they are often forced to take Horse, as not being able to go a foot: they likewise put some of them on their Horses to make them the more lively, and hinder them from being wounded.  

How they are made.  These Gris-Gris's are leapt up in Linnem, handsomely folded, and covered above with red Leather neatly dressed: there are some no above an Inch thick, worked with the point of a Diamond; of which they make Necklaces, into which the Maraboux often put nothing at all, as I have found upon opening of some our Slaves had: they have of them before and behind over-against their Stomaches, large ones, and about two Inches thick▪ they make some of them of a Horse's Tail, or the Horns of a Deer, or a wild Bull, covered with red Cloth; they set two of these last on the forepart of their Caps: thus equipped they have a horrible Air, and exceeding fierce, and engage one another with the utmost Confidence in their Combats, but not in those with us, and against our Muskets; so that 'tis a saying amongst them, That there is no Gris-grisses against the Pouse; for they call the Musket so.  
The Maraboux ruin them with these Gris-Gris's; for there are some of them that cost them three Slaves; others four or five Oxen, according to the Virtue they ascribe to them. The Opinion the Negroes have of these Gris-grisses, has made some of our ignorant French believe there are a great many Conjurers amongst them; there are certain times when these pretended Sorcerers make a thousand Grimaces, singing and roaring: as they say, when the Devil beats them.  
When they think any Person is insulted by the Devil, if it be a Woman, they put her into Men's Apparel, with a Zagage in her Hands, and leads her singing with a dismal Voice; and by this Ceremony they believe they drive him away. I have often observed that these supposed Sorcerers are mere Cheats; for when we take a Cudgel and beat the possessed Person, we find it has the same Effect, and that the Devil returns no more.  

Ramadan, or Lent.  During their Ramadan, which is the Lent of Mahomet, and which lasts the whole Month of September, they use the Ceremony of Circumcision, which they don't perform till the Child's eleven or twelve Year old: a Maraboux cuts the Foreskin, which the Person Circumcised eats; who must not complain whatever Pain he feels, whilst 'tis a cutting; nay, they often laugh while they are searing them with a red-hot Iron to stop the Blood.  

Folgar, or their Feasts of Joy.  As long as the Ramadan lasts they have their Folgar, or Feasts of Joy every Night; but, during the whole Day, they neither eat, nor drink, nor so much as smoke; nay, some of them won't even spit; but, when once the Sun is set, they make a vast noise with their Drums, and continue eating and drinking till Sun-rise.  

Their Inclination to many Wives.  Tho' according to the Alcoran 'tis not lawful to have above four Wives, yet they take as many as they can maintain. As soon as they meet with a young Woman they like, they demand her of her Father; if he Consents to it, they agree on the Price; her Quality or Beauty raises her value. Her Dowry are so many Oxen, which turns to the Profit of the Father; which never exceeds five. This Agreement ended, they bed without any more Ceremony. If they give her for a Maid, they lay a white Cloth on the Bed in which they are to lie, on which, if Blood be found, she is allowed to have been a Virgin.  

Ceremony on this occasion.  Then they produce this Cloth publicly in the Village, accompanied with several Guiriots', who sing the Praises of the Woman, and the Happiness of the Husband. But, if she proves otherwise than she was given for, the Father is obliged to take her again, if the Husband requires it, and to restore him his Oxen. But this rarely happens; for by an unlawful knowledge before Marriage, they are assured what she is: But, if she is returned again, she is not the more despised; for, tho' she be not a Wife for one, yet she may be a Concubine for another; so the Father still gets more and more by her: So by this accursed Gain, he might as innocently murder his Daughter. If afterwards the Husband grows weary of his Wife, he puts her away, and is quit of her, losing his Dowry: And she may part from him too, restoring her Oxen.  
When the King would gratify any great Lord, he gives him one of his Wives; but he can't turn her off, tho' the King may take her again when he pleases.  

The Funerals of the Negroes.  The Funerals of the Negroes are performed with great State and Ceremony. A Marabou washes the Corpse of the Dead, and adorns it with the finest Calico he had in his life. All the Relations and Neighbours come to bewail him, and ask him a great many ridiculous Questions; If he was not well with them? What harm they did him? If he had not Riches enough? If he had not handsome Wives enough? and the like: And, seeing he makes no Answer, they depart, and make room for others, who repeat the same Questions, while the Guiriots' incessantly sing his Praises.  
And because 'tis the Custom to make much of all those who come to compliment the Dead, they kill Oxen, and sell his Slaves, that they may have Aquavitae to be merry withal. When the Assistants are well satisfied, they bury the Dead in the House where he died, of which they open the Dome. Afterwards, when the Corpse is in the Ground, the Mourners redouble their Cries, and four Persons making a Square, with four Calicoes which they hold, hide him so as he can't be seen.  
The Marabou comes afterwards, and speaks some Words in the Ears of the Dead, and covers him with a Calico; and afterwards they put the Dome in its place; on which they hang some Clothes, white, red, or any other Colour they fancy. Hard by they set up a Pole, on which they hang the Bow, the Quiver, and the Zagages of the defunct. They set him a Pot of Coscouse, and another of Water, which is his Provision for one Year; for they fancy he eats after he is dead.  
In some Places they compass the House with Thorns, or a deep Ditch, to secure the Corpse from wild Beasts; who, notwithstanding, sometimes devour it. This being finished, the Mourners still continue their Cries eight Days longer.  
When it's a Boy that's dead, the Women and the Maids sing, and the Boys run with all their force one at another, with their naked Sabres in their Hands, clashing as they meet, and striking one another's Sabres; with a great many other Actions, that would be tedious to mention.  

Of their Artisans.  The Negroes have few Artisans amongst them, the most common are Smiths, Weavers, and Potters; the first make Knives, Slaves Fetters, and Bracelets of Gold, Silver, Copper, and Iron, and Ornaments for Knives and Sabres, and covers for Gris-Gris's, and the Handles of their Sabres. They have no Farriers, because they never shoe their Horses.  

Their way at the Forge.  When they are at the Forge, they are always two or three together, under the shadow of a tree, sitting on the side of the Forge, the Pipe in their Mouths. They use so little Fire at it, that you could searce boil an Egg over it; they light it with a Bellows made of two Skins, which they press to make it blow, and resembles a Bladder filled with Wind. Their Anvil is almost like the Stone which the Mower makes use of to sharpen his Scythe with; when they beat upon it, 'tis so sunk in the Sand at the third or fourth blow, that they must raise it again, which spends most of their time, to little purpose.  

Their Kttchen Utensils.  Their Weavers are little employed, wearing but few clothes, as I have already said.  
The Potters make but one sort of Pots; the greater of which serve for Kettles, and the lesser for Pipes; the bowl of which only is made of Clay, the shank of it being a little hollow Stick, fastened to the earthen Head.  
They are generally idle, and spend most of their time in unnecessary Discourse; and if Necessaries be wanting, they are not much concerned, but rub on, unless they go and live on a Neighbour.  
The management of the House gives the Wife very little trouble, except it be the eating part; for the Kitchen Furniture of the greatest Lords consists only of some Earthen Pots, a few Wooden Vessels, and Calkasses half broken, which they make use of instead of Cups.  

How their Children are Nursed.  Their Children, tho' young, don't encumber them much, for they leave them naked on the Sand, where they creep all day long: those who are very young indeed, they carry always on their Backs, with their Legs against their Sides, drawing their Feet before, and binding them behind with a Calico Cloth, with which they gird themselves withal.  
Whatever they are a doing their little Ones are always tied up behind them, even when they are pounding their Mill; whence 'tis, that they have all great Bellies and flat Noses, for the Mother bowing and raising her Body as she beats, makes them strike their Noses against her Back; which the Children endeavouring to avoid (which notwithstanding they hardly can) holding themselves back, they advance their Bellies: I believe this is the only Reason that the Negroes are flat Nosed.  
They value Beauty as much as we, and particularly in the Eyes, Mouth, Lips, and Nose: Allowing for their blackness, there are Negresses as handsome as any of our European Ladies. And are more witty than the Men, but very subtle, and smooth tongued. The Caresses of white Men please them wonderfully. But, in the mean time, these Dames being very Mercenary, they will not grant them Favours for nothing, although their Husband's consent to their Debaucheries.  
But 'tis not so amongst one another; for if one lies with another's Wife, they will kill him if they can with their Sabres, or their Knives; or, if it be with their Concubines, they will have their Revenge.  

How the Women dance and sing.  The Women are always smoking; they are very merry, and above all things love Dancing in the Evenings, and at the New Moons: They dance in around, clapping their Hands without stirring, except it be those in the middle, and sing the first thing that comes into their Mouth's, Sense or Nonsense. These last in dancing hold one Hand on their Heads, and the other behind, advancing the upper part of their Bodies, and clapping their Feet on the Earth: their Postures are lascivious and infamous, and chiefly when Boys dance with them; a Calbass or a Kettle serves them for Music; for some sort of Noise they must have.  

The Exercises of the Men.  The Men exercise themselves in Wrestling, and in approaching one another use ridiculous Postures; in holding out the Finger, the Fist, or the Foot at one another. On this Occasion there is always one who acts the Guiriot, and who makes some sort of Music to encourage them. Being naked, they hardly come to the Ground without being hurt. And when one receives a fall, the Guiriot extols him who gives it, encouraging him to more Victories over his Adversary, who flees from him.  

Their Fishing.  The greatest part who live by the Waterside are Fishers; they train up their Children early to this Art; and make use of Canoes; 
Their Canoes.  they are little Boats, made of the hollow Trunk of a Tree, and all of a piece; of which the largest may contain ten or twelve Men, being about 30 Foot long, and about a Foot and a half wide. These Canoes both sail and row. When the Wind is high, and the Water rough, the Canoe often overturns, but they little mind it, for they are good swimmers, & it does not sink to the bottom, so they easily set it right again in the Water, and then get into it as if nothing had happened: But row in them with such speed, that the lightest of our Sloops can't overtake them.  

Their way of Fishing.  When they go a Fishing, commonly they don't go above two in a Canoe. They launch out as good as six Leagues into the Sea, and for the most part fish with a Line; but as there are great Fishes which won't bite at a Bait, they strike them with Irons pointed like the Head of an Arrow, or with long Sticks sharpened at the end, and of the length of a Halp-Pike, with a Cord fastened to it, with which they draw them to Land, after wounding them.  

Their neglect to preserve their Fish.  They dry the little Fish like Sardins, and they open the great ones, as they do Cod. As they don't salt them, they commonly stink before they dry; but 'tis then they reckon them most delicious, for they don't love fresh Fish. They sell it to those who live up land; and would from them make great advantage of it, if they'd take the Pains of carrying it to the Towns; but the others being as lazy to fetch it, as they are to carry it, betwixt them both the Fish stinks, and becomes useless.  

Their Markets.  Besides their Trade with us, they keep particular Markets for themselves, but trivial, that I have admired to see them come six or seven Leagues with a little Cotton, some Calicoes, Beans, Gourds, Palm, Pallets, etc. Another time I saw a Man come six Leagues to bring a Bar of Iron half of a Foot long.  
Not but that sometimes one meets there with Goods of greater value, as Rings of Gold, and Gold Earrings, named by them Dougaret, of the same Metal, but it's in so small a quantity, that in the whole Market you shan't find to the value of fifty Pistols. Formerly they dealt wholly by the way of exchanging one thing for another, but since their Commerce with the Europeans, instead of Money they Trade with Rastade, and little Glass Baubles, and Iron Bars. The best Things they bring us in these Markets, (which they keep at the end of some Town) is Elephants Teeth, Bullocks Hides, and some Slaves, which they come to Goree to sell; and for which Messiears of the Company give them Iron, Aquavitae, Rassade, etc. by which they make a considerable Gain.  

Their Government Hereditary.  The Government there is Hereditary and Monarchical, yet 'tis not the Sons of the King who succeed, but his Nephews, his Sister's Sons. This Custom, which may seem a little odd, is grounded on this Reason, That 'tis not certain that the Children the Prince has by his Wives are really his; whereas it being undeniable, that the Children of his Sisters are certainly hers; and so it follows, that they are rather of the Blood Royal than his own.  
When the Prince comes to the Throne, every Body strives to Congratulate him, because he has carried it from his Brothers; of whom there being commonly many, the Empire always becomes contested, and falls to him that has the greatest Force and the best Success.  

How the King is approached.  The King is approached with Difficulty and Reverence; and few are admitted into the Heart of his Court. When any great Lord, tho' he be his Relation, would have Audience of him, he pulls off his Frock at his entrance into the Court, being quite naked from the Waist upwards; when he draws near the place where the King is, he throws himself on his Knees, afterwards bows his Head, and with his both Hands strews Sand on his Face and Head, then riseth, and repeats the same Ceremony often at such a distance, till he comes within two steps of the King: Being there, he stops, and declares the Motives he had for demanding Audience: His Compliment ended, which is made on the Knee, he rises without daring to look at the King, resting his Hands on his Knees, and from time to time sling Sand on his Forehead.  
The Prince, who carries it very high to his Subjects, makes a show as if he scarce heard him, and so diverts himself with something else; yet, however, at last, he vouchsafes him a short Answer, with excessive Gravity. And then the Suppliant rejoins the Courtiers who are found there.  

How Absolute and Respected he is.  I don't believe there are any Kings in the World more Absolute, and more Respected than the Negroes, which proceeds from their Severity; for on the least Offence of the Subject, an Order is sent to behead him; all his Goods are confifcated, and his whole Family enslaved. The middle sort are happier than the Great, being subject only to Captivity on these Occasions.  

Who are well received by the King.  The Azoaghes, the Maraboux, and the French, have much more Liberty than the Negroes; and we a great deal more than these. When the Europeans approach him, they salute him with Reverence; and he presents them his Hand to lay it on theirs. At this time he either sits or lies after the Fashion of the Negroes, on a Bed, spread with a Quilt, covered with red Leather, 
How much he loves Presents.  with a Pipe in his Mouth; he makes them sit down by him, and asks what they have brought along with them.  
As we never have these Audiences but when we have some Favour to request of him, 
What Presents are brought him.  or to complain of his Officers, or of some Injuries offered the Whites, we never come without Presents; which commonly consists in ten or twelve Pots of Aquavitae, a little Sugar, some Garlic, five or six els of Linen, and some bits of Coral.  

Remark on the Reception of Envoys.  When an Envoy has any thing about him that pleases the King, as Coat, Stockings, Shoes, Sword, or Hat; he desires to try them, and then makes them his own; he did thus a little after our arrival to an Envoy of Monsieur Dancourt; from whom he took a Brocard Waistcoat, his Stockings, Hat, and Shoes; so that he had been forced to return naked, if by chance he had not carried other clothes with him, that were of a lesser value than the other.  
While the Aquavitae lasts, he is never sober; so that their's no expecting an Answer, till it's all out; when he is sober he dismisses the Envoy, giving him two or three Slaves, 
The Presents of the King of the Negroes.  which he sends to his Guards to take away at the first Village. Miserable are they who fall under their Hands at that time, for they never stand to choose, but the first at hand serves the present Occasion.  
Whatever Care one takes to supply one's self with Provisions when one comes to solicit any thing at this Court; yet you run the risk of starving; for the King demands them; and eats above one half himself; and in return, he gives you a Kid, or a quarter of a Camel, which is very ill Food, a little Coscouse, and some Palm-wine.  

Remarks on the Injustice of the Negro Kings.  While I was in this Country, a pleasant thing happened; which shows the Power that Presents have over these Kings, and what little Regard they have to Justice: Two little Tributary Kings to Damel, were at strife concerning the Succession to a little poor Sovereignty; they were Brother and Son to the late Prince, and bottomed their Pretensions on divers Reasons, too tedious, and too inconsiderable to be mentioned here. They proposed to end their Difference by force, or the King's decision; the King having forbid the first, they were forced to stand to his Judgement.  
On the Day appointed for giving Judgement in their Difference, the two Parties met in the great Place before the Court, accompanied with great Numbers, that seemed to form two Battalions, about thirty Yards distant from one another; they were armed with Darts, Bows, Zagages, Javelins, and Morisco Knives; the King followed by six hundred Men, accoutred with their Gris-Gris's, appeared mounted on a fine Barbary Horse, and so placed himself betwixt the two Rivals.  
Tho' they all spoke the same Language, yet they made use of Interpreters, who told the King again what they heard. The Son of the deceased ended his Discourse, in remonstrating to him, That seeing it had pleased GOD to bestow the Sovereignty in dispute on his Father, the Right of it now belonged to him, which he hoped his Majesty would confirm to him. The King having heard him attentively, said to him with an Air full of Gravity, GOD has given it you, and I give it you again after him.  
Such an Answer presently dispersed the Party of the Uncle, who retired all alone. The Guiriots' with their Instruments and their Drums, celebrated the Praises of the Victorious, saying to him, You best deserved it, the King has done you Justice; for you are more Handsome, more Rich, and more Valiant than he.  
While this poor Prince thought to enjoy his Happiness, he was surprised to see himself stripped next morning of this▪ Sovereignty, with which he was newly Invested; for his Uncle losing no time, made such a noble Present to the King, that he forgot that of his Nephew, and dispossessed him in the Morning of that which he had given him the Night before, Installing the other in his Place. This change of Fortune made the Guiriots change their Note, and now bestowed all their Praises on him whom they despised before: Such is the Perfidiousness both of Prince and Subject.  

What is the Conduct of the King when he goes a Progress.  To return to what concerns the King in particular; when he goes a Progress he has no need of Vivandiers, for he is provided for, by the several Villages, through which he passes. They serve him up sometimes 50 wooden Dishes of Causcouse, seasoned after several ways; he receives those which agree with his palate, and gives the rest to his Attendants, who are frequently as hungry after Dinner as before; for you must know, they have all great Stomaches.  

The Negro's manner of eating.  They all eat very nastily, lying along on the Ground, taking it up by handfuls; making no use either of Napkins or Plates. No Body eats with the King but the Grand Marabou, or one of the most accomplished Lords, and very often he eats alone.  
He will by no means suffer the Thoubabes (for so he calls us) to see him at Meals; I believe he conceals himself from us, as believing we eat better, and with more Decency than his Custom will allow; or rather, that he is ashamed of his Poverty. Amongst the meaner sort, all of a Family eat together: Their first Dish is Couscouse, and when they have done with that, they fall aboard the Flesh, which they tear in Pieces with their Fingers, making no use at all of their Knives; and after they have gnawed it, they put it into the Dish again for the next. They use only their Right-hand in eating; which is always at Noon and Night; for they reserve the Lefthand wholly for Labour, and on that account they esteem it an Indecency to eat with it.  

The Officers of King Damel.  The King has several Ministers of State under him, who assist him in the Government, and in the Exercise of Justice. Condy, who is a Tributary Sovereign, is after the manner of our Constable, and is General of his Forces, the Grand Geraff is the chief Justice throughout all the Dominions of King Damel; he goes the Circuits from time to time to execute Justice, and hear the Complaints of the People; and he generally does Justice out of hand, for he punishes a Thief with Slavery. It being a rarity for a Man of a mean Condition to be inflicted with the Punishment of Death.  
The King's Alzari Exercises the same Employ as the Geraff, but his Power is more limited: He has under him Alkaties or Alkairs of great Villages, that are as particular Lords of them.  
When a Negro is accused of any Crime, of which he can't easily be convicted, in order to his Justification, they oblige him to lick a red-hot Iron three times: If it burns him, he is reputed guilty; if not, he and his Accuser leaves the Court, and the Process falls without Costs.  

How and for what the Negro Kings make upon one anocher.  The Negro Kings go to War with one another on every small Pretext. And when any such Occasion happens, the Condy assembles all the great Lords, and the rest of the Subjects; of which he composes his Cavalry and his Infantry. They seldom have a Body of above 12 or 1500 Men, so that their War is only a sort of Skirmishing Excursion. In all the Kingdom of Damel you can scarce raise 200 Horse: The Men of Quality in the Army, especially the Horse, are loaded with Gris-grisses, as I have already observed; so that when they are once dismounted, they are not able to march four paces on foot.  

The Arms of the Horse.  Their Horse are armed with Zagayes, which is a sort of a Dart, long and large, with three or four Spears, bigger than those of Arrows, and have several small Hooks, that tears open the wound when they draw it. They can cast these Zagayes a great way, and go very rarely without them: Besides these they have a Scimitar, and a Morisco Knife, about half a Yard long, and two Inches wide: They guard the Blows with a round Buckler made of thick Leather; and tho' they are encumbered with so many Utensils, yet they have their Hands and Arms at liberty, and can fight smartly.  

The Arms of the Foot.  The Foot are armed with a Scimitar, a Javelin, and a Quiver filled with fifty or sixty poisoned Arrows, that wound mortally, if they are not immediately seered with hot Irons.  
The Teeth of their Iron-headed Arrow produces another miserable effect; for they can't be drawn back, without making the Wound more dangerous than before.  
Their Bow is made of a Cane, resembling that which we call a Bamboo. That which they make use of for the String, is another sort of Wood, very curiously fitted up for that purpose. They are so dextrous in shooting out of Bows, that at fifty Yards distance they'll hit a Mark, the breadth of a Crown piece. They march without any order of Discipline, even in the Enemy's Country. The Guiriots' excite them to Battle by the sound of their Instruments.  
As soon as they are within shot, the Infantry discharge their Arrows, and the Horse cast their Javelins. This discharge is followed with blows of Zagayes. They spare their Enemies as much as possible, that they may make the more Slaves; from which their Persons of Quality are not exempted. And as they are naked and expert in the using their Bows, etc. their Wars are always very Bloody. They are very resolute, and had rather lose their Lives, that be guilty of the least Cowardice. The despite that is showed to a Coward amongst them, and the fear of losing their Liberty, does very much augment their Courage.  

Their way making Peace.  Their first shock being over, they often renew it again for two or three Days together; afterwards send a Marabou of each side to treat of a Peace. When they have agreed on the Conditions, they swear upon the Alcoran, and by Mahomet, to the observing them; tho' they know very little of the one or the other. The Prisoners on either side receive no Benefit of the Treaty, but continue Slaves as if the War was eternal.  
See here the best Account I could give of these Countries, if I can discover any Thing farther, before my return into Europe, I shall give you an exact Account thereof, in Compliance with the Desires of my Friends, who enjoined me to communicate my Observations to them. My little knowledge of Writing, and my indifferent Style, will soon let them see, I am not capable of transmitting to them these Relations. All that they must attribute to me, is Fidelity and Truth in them, which I prefer before all the Romantic amusing Accounts in the World.  
FINIS.   

THE Bookseller's Advertisement TO THE READER.  
A Particular Person that is very knowing, having traveled the Coasts of Africa, and seen the Author of this Voyage at Gozee, has sent me these following Relations: I thought myself obliged to publish them, for the Benefit of the Public, and affix them to this; withal, acquainting you, that they are not the Remarks of the Sieur le Maire.   


Relations of the Islands and adjacent Places of the Rivers of Bresalina, Gambia, Zamenee, St. Domingo, Geve, etc.  
THE Kingdom of the Barbasines who are almost all Mahometan Negroes) is of small extent, 
The Kingdom of the Barbasine.  having not above six or seven Leagues of Coast: It joins with that of the Joloffes, beginning at a Village called Jovalle, situated on the Seacoasts, and inhabited by some Mulatters and Portuguese. There is another small Village which they call Coringua, which is nearer to Cape Verde, and a Dependant of Jovalle, where commonly they drive the greatest Trade.  
About six or seven Leagues higher you meet with the River Bresalma, 
The River Bresalma.  whose Mouth is very large, but choked up with Sand-Beds, that nothing but Canoes, Shalops, and little Barks can go into the River: The Trade of this Kingdom is very inconsiderable, the Country affording no valuable Commodities; yet the Portuguese buy Salt and Provisions here.  

The River of Gambia.  On the same Coast, two Leagues higher, is the River Gambia, which has two Channels for Vessels, one to the North, and another to the South, where Ships of four hundred Tun may easily enter. You must first sound the Passage with a Sloop, for fear of striking upon the Sands: Being passed, you meet bending towards the North, the Kingdom of Baria; 
The Kingdom of Baria.  whose King lives a quarter of a League from the Sea. The Inhabitants are called Maudingues, and are for the most part Mahometans.  

The Isle of Dogs.  The Isle of Dogs, to which you may go dryfoot at low Water, is directly opposite, in the River. The French did formerly inhabit it, but they had their Throats cut by the Negroes. Since which it has been wholly deserted, being of no Consequence.  
The Flouppes Negroes, of whom I shall speak hereafter, are directly at the Entrance of the Southside.  

Albroda.  Six Leagues farther up the River to the North is the Town called Albroda, where, before the War, the French had an Establishment: But the English have one now, at a Village called Zeelfray, about a League higher on the same Shoar.  
They have also a Regular Fort in the Island over against it; which is not above half a quarter of a League about, built on a gravelly Rock.  
This Fort has above fifty Pieces of Cannon mounted, which are of no great use for want of Men to manage them: They are forced to fetch all their Water and Wood from the main Land. These are they who have the best share of all the Trade that is driven on this River; which chiefly consists in Negro Slaves, Ivory, and Wax. It is Navigable above two hundred Leagues.   

A DESCRIPTION OF THE River ZAMENEE.  
THE River Zamenee is inhabited by several sorts of Negroes, those at its Mouth towards the North call themselves Floupes, a People extremely Savage, with whom no Nation has any Commerce. They are all Pagans; having every one his God according to his particular Inclinations; 
Idolatry of the Negroes.  one worships a Bullocks Horn, another a Beast, or a Tree, to whom they offer Sacrifice according to their own manner.  

Their Habits.  Their Dress is like those of Cape Verd, and the Inhabitants of the River Gambia, which consists in a Piece of Cotton Cloth, striped after the manner of the Country, which barely covers their nakedness.  

Have no Kings.  They have no succession of Kings, the most Absolute and most Powerful amongst them Commands.  
They understand Cultivation very well, and make very good Improvements of their Lands, which they sow with Mill and Rice. 
Their Riches.  Their Riches consists in Bullocks, Cows, Goats; of which some of them have great quantities. They possess the Coast all along as far as the River Gambia, and about six Leagues into the Land. Their Towns are well Peopled, and about a quarter of a League distant one from another.  

The Cruelties of the Negroes or Flouppes.  The Negroes or Filouppes that inhabit the South Entrance of this River, are exceeding barbarous and cruel; for when they can catch any white Men they give 'em no quarter; and some say they eat them.  
These are in possession of the Country all along the Coast to a Town called Boulol, which stands at the Mouth of the River of St. Domingo. This Coast is much better Peopled than that of Gambia: The Villages are about two Leagues distant one from another, and about half a League from the Sea.  
About seven or eight Leagues farther, the ebbing and flowing of the Sea makes a little River, which leads to the Town of Jam, where the Portuguese make great Quantities of Wax, which they traffic with by Land to Gambia and Cacheaux.  
The adjacent Countries are inhabited by Negroes who are called Bagnons; and these have a King that lives twelve or thirteen Leagues from the Sea.   

A DESCRIPTION OF THE River St. Domingo.  

The River of St. Domingo.  THE River of St. Domingo runs from East to West, winding a matter of two hundred Leagues. 'Tis also inhabited by different sorts of Negroes, and by the Portuguese, who have several Towns there.  
At the North Entrance of it there is small Fort belonging to the Portuguese, mounted with four Guns, and commanded by Sergeant and four Soldiers.  
Four Leagues higher on the same Shoar, near the Village of Boulet, is the little River of Linguim, which runs a matter of nine or ten Leagues under Ground, and then loses itself. It is possessed and cultivated by the Bagnon Negroes, who are all Idolaters, and very much dreaded by their Neighbours.  
The Village of Quongain is directly at its Entrance, where abundance of Portuguese and Gourmets' inhabit, who make great store of Wax there.  

The River Boguinda.  The River Boguinda is on the same Coast, about three Leagues higher than the Tide comes: It spreads itself twelve or fifteen Leagues into the Land, inhabited by the same sort of People, who, as I have told you before, traffic altogether with Wax. 'Tis the ordinary Passage from Cacheau to Jam.  

The Wood of Matteformose.  On the Entrance of the River of St. Domingo to the South, is a large Wood called Matteformose; and a Village inhabited by the Flouppes, much more civilised than those I have mentioned before: With whom a Trade is maintained for Slaves and Provisions, but chiefly for great Quantities of Rice.  
Going up the River about two Leagues, you meet with a small Rivulet, which is not Navigable, but separates the Flouppes from the Papels.  

The Papels Sacrifice.  The Papels are Pagan Negroes, all Idolaters, as the former. They have a King who dwells five or six Leagues from them: When any considerable Person dies, they sacrifice Bullocks, Cows, Kids, and Capon to their Gods, which are for the most part one or more Trees, the Horn of an Ox, etc.  

The Town of Cacheau.  In the same Road, about four Leagues higher, you find the Town of Cacheau; now in the Hands of the Portuguese, who have three Forts there; the chief of which may have about ten or twelve Guns, and the other two, three, or four each. A Captain-Major has the Government of it, who has a dependence on the Governor of Cape Verd, they are every Year recruited with thirty or forty Portngueses Soldiers, who are generally banished Criminals; they supplying the Places of those who die for want of wholesome Diet, by necessity, or by an over addicting themselves to Women. 'Tis designed them a Place of Exile, tho' they often find it happy enough. There may be about three hundred Inhabitants in the Town, who are for the most part Mullato's; the other may have Wives or Concubines.  
There is in the Town a Receiver of the King's Customs; for the Ships that come to traffic there pay ten per Cent. for coming in and going out. There is a Grefferi or Writer, who holds the Place both of Public Notary and Sheriff: 'tis the Governor who administers Justice. There is a Parochial Church, a Curate, and a Visitator, who is in the Nature of the great Vicar of France; for he always makes Visitations on behalf the Bishop of St. James.  
There is also a Convent of Capuchins, where there are seldom more than three or four Religious.  
The Inhabitants of the Town have little Boats and Barks, in which they trade on the Rivers of Nun, Pougues, Serlione, and to the Islands of the Bezagots, where they have a great Commerce with Wax, Slaves, and some small pieces of Ivory.  

The Town of Farim.  The Portuguese have yet another Town, a great way higher up the River, about one hundred and fifty Leagues from Cacheau, called Farim, palisadoed round; but the Inhabitants are not so numerous as at Cacheau; tho' the greatest part of them, have Somer-Houses here, where their Gourmet's make Calico's, and some small quantities of Wax. There is also a Curate, and a Captain-Major▪ who is dependant on the Town of Cacheau. The Negroes that inhabit the adjacent Countries are called Maudingues: All the Villages from Cacheau to Farim are Peopled by the Gourmets' of the Portuguese, who gather Cotton, etc.  

The Three Islands.  Going Southward out of the River of St. Domingo, you meet several Islands, the first is called the Three Islands, which effectively has that Figure. Possessed by the Gourmots or Negroes, who have freed themselves from the Slavery of the Portuguese; and most of them, tho' they are baptised, have renounced the Catholic Faith. They cultivate this Island, which produces great store of Cotton, of which they make their Cloth. They have Canoes to serve them in their Traffic with the Negroes of the Continent. The Place which they pass is called the Bott. They are very careful not to let any Vessels or Barks approach their Island.  

The Isle of Bussi.  Over-against it is the Island of Bussi, in Possession of the Papels, who have a King not very Absolute. The Sea is so shallow there, that one may pass to it without being up to the leg.  

Their Treachery.  'Tis dangerous trading with them, till their ways are throughly known; for their strange mistrust, makes them believe there is no Sincerity in us. I know that several English and Dutch, have been there massacred for endeavouring to trade with them. They abound in Provisions, as Oxen, Foul, Fish, Mill, etc. but they are of a very indifferent relish. Their Island is about ten Leagues in Circuit, and has two Ports, the one to the East, which is called Old Port; the other to the South, which called White-stone Harbour.  

The Village of Cazelut.  Right over-against it, is the Village of Cazelut, and many small Islands, which are not inhabited. Very near it you find the Island of Bisseaux, about two Leagues distant. A Vessel of three hundred Tun may pass betwixt them both, if the Channel be well known. 'Tis about forty Leagues in compass; the Papel Negroes that inhabit it are almost all Pagans. There are in this Island nine Kings; which one is superior to the other eight; which properly are no more than Deputy Governors.  

Their Cruelty when any of their Kings die.  When any of the King's die, they take care to strangle above thirty Persons, chiefly the young Girls, and those Slaves that have been the most faithful to the Deceased, whom they bury along with them. They put with him into his Tomb all his Riches, as his Gold, Silver, Amber Grissel, Stuffs, etc.  
When they choose another 'tis after this manner; 
How they elect their Kings.  they are only the Gearges that make Pretensions, which are, as I may say, the Dukes and Peers of France. They gather together in a Ring, in the middle of which is the Tomb of the deceased King, made of Reeds and very light Wood, which is sustained in the Air by several Negroes, who in dancing toss it up, and he on whom it falls, they choose for their King in the room of the Deceased: they often sacrifice to their Gods, Bullocks, Capons, Kids, etc. There are several good Harbours in this Island, the best of which is called Port-Risseaux, where Ships of sixty Guns may ride at Anchor in safety. The King's Palace is within half a League of it: there is one Parish, and a Convent of Capuchins; several of the Portuguese are married to the Negresses of the Country.  
There are several of those Heathens Sons have received Baptism, and embraced the Catholic Doctrine. The King has his Guards, his Army, and several Women of all Ages. He has about fifty Canoes of War man'd with about thirty Men each. For their Arms they have only a Scimitar hanging on their Shoulders by a short Belt. And are Clothed only with the Skin of a Kid, which hangs lose behind, and is fastened before betwixt their Legs, to hide their Nudities. They go to War against the Biaffares, who inhabited the Continent, twice or thrice a Year.  

Their Arms and Habit.  The Portuguese formerly built a Fort there, mounted with eight Guns, to hinder Strangers from coming to that Isle, that they might engross it all to themselves: But the Negroes will not suffer it, for they are all Sticklers for the Liberties of their Country, which occasions a welcome to all manner of Strangers, that come to traffic in their Ports, who may Negotiate in the Island with all imaginable Security, without dreading any Insult, if you offer none. When you arrive at their Ports, you are not suffered to land till the King has a sacrificed a Bullock; which done, you have liberty to disembark.  
Just over-against the Port is an Island called Sortiere, full of Trees, where the Negroes make their grand Sacrifices every Year, in which the King himself assists. Vessels anchor very safely there.   

A DESCRIPTION OF THE River GEVA.  

The River Geva.  THE River of Geva winds itself about 70 Leagues into the Continent, from North-East to South-West. All the Villages of either side (which are about a League from the Sea) are inhabited by the Biaffares. At the Entrance of the River, towards the North, is a Village called Gouffode, about a League from the Harbour: there it is where Bullocks and Poultry are to be sold; and they also traffic for some Slaves.  
On the same River, abous five Leagues higher, is the Town of Geva; the greatest part is possessed by the Portuguese and Gournets', which is encompassed with Pallasadoes.  
They have a Parish-Church, a Curate, and a Captain who commands them, and is dependent on the Governor of Cacheau: The adjacent Places are inhabited by the Negro Biaffares; most of the Portuguese have Barks in the Port, in which they trade to Serlienne, with a sort of Fruit called Cocters, which both in shape and taste resembles the Marous of India; they are both white and red, for which they drive a great trade, especially with the Biaffares and Mandingues. They also send their Barks to trade with the Bizagot Negroes on the River Nounne for Elephants Teeth, etc. Indigo in the Leaf, which they die their clothes with.  
The Barks can go no higher than Goree; but their Canoes will go up several little Rivers of small note. Just over-against the Port you meet with several little Islands, especially that of Boulam; 
The Isle of Boulam.  well stocked with Trees, and about six Leagues in compass, lying just at the Entrance of the River Riogrando, but not inhabited. The other Islands are so inconsiderable, I do not think it worth while to mention them. I shall say nothing of Cape-Verd, Senegal, or the Canary Islands, understanding that the Sieur le Maire, with the Assistance of Monsieur D' Ancourt has said more than I am capable of saying.  
FINIS.