Page 302

An.1686

The Governours Presents to Captain Swan.

side; which was about 5 leagues from the place where we were; therefore we did not expect an answer till the evening, not knowing then how nimble they were. Therefore when the Indian Canoa was dispatched away to the Governor, we hoised out 2 of our Canoas, and sent one a fishing, and the other ashore for Coco-nuts. Our fishing Canoa got nothing: but the Men that went ashore for Coco-nuts came off laden.

About 11 a clock, that same morning, the Go- vernor of the Island sent a Letter to Captain Swan, complimenting him for his Present, and promising to support us with as much Provision as he could possibly spare; and as a token of his gratitude, he sent a Present of 6 Hogs, of a small sort, most ex- cellent Meat, the best, I think, that ever I eat: they are fed with Coco-nuts, and their flesh is hard as Brisket Beef. They were doubtless of that breed in America which came originally from Spain. He sent also 12 Muskmelons, larger than ours in En- gland, and as many Water-melons, both sorts here being a very excellent Fruit; and sent an order to the Indians that lived in a Village not far from our Ship, to bake every day as much of the Bread-fruit as we did desire, and to assist us in getting as many dry Coco-nuts as we would have; which they ac- cordingly did, and brought off the Bread-fruit eve- ry day hot, as much as we could eat. After this the Governour sent every day a Canoa or two with Hogs and Fruit, and desired for the same, Powder, Shot, and Arms; which was sent according to his request. We had a delicate large English Dog: which the Governour did desire, and had it given him very freely by the Captain, though much a- gainst the grain of many of his Men, who had a great value for that Dog. Captain Swan endea- voured to get this Governours Letter of Recom- mendation to some Merchants at Manila, for he had