Page 110
An. 1684
Cocos Island.
Oyl served instead of Butter to eat with Dough- boys or Dumplin's, in his return out of these Seas. He found very convenient places to Careen, and good Channels between the Islands; and very good Anchoring in many places. There he found also plenty of brooks of good fresh water; and fire wood enough: there being plenty of Trees fit for many uses. Captain Harris, one that we shall speak of hereafter, came hither likewise; and found some Islands that had plenty of Mammee-trees, and pretty large Rivers. The Sea about these Islands is plenti- fully stored with Fish, such as are at John Fernando's. They are both large, and Fat; and as plentiful here as at John Fernando's: Here are particularly abun- dance of Sharks. The North part of this second Isle we anchor'd at lyes 28 minutes North of the Equa- tor. I took the heighth of the Sun with an Astro- labe. These Isles of the Gallapago's have plenty of Salt. We stay'd here but 12 days; in which time we put ashore 5000 packs of flower, for a reserve, if we should have occafion of any before we left these Seas. Here one of our Indian Prisoners informed us that he was born at Ria Lexa, and that he would en- gage to carry us thither. He being examin'd of the strength and riches of it, satisfy'd the Company so well, that they were resolv'd to go thither.
Having thus concluded; the 12th of June we sailed from hence, designing to touch at the Island Cocos, as well to put ashore some Flower there, as to see the Island, because it was in our way to Ria Lexa. We steer'd North, till in Lat. 4 d. 40 min. intending then to steer W. by N.; for we expected to have had the Wind at S. by E. or S. S. E. as we had on the South side of the Equator. Thus I had formerly found the Winds near the shore in these la- titudes: but when we first parted from the Gallapa- gos, we had the Wind at S.; and as we sailed far- ther North we had the Winds at S. by W. then at S. S. W.,