Page 416
An.1687
The Piscador Islands near Formosa.
I was never in such a violent storm in all my life; so said all the company. This was near the change of the Moon : it was 2 or 3 days before the change. The 6th day in the morning, having fine handsome weather, we got up our Yards again, and began to dry our selves and our cloaths, for we were all well sopt. This Storm had deadned the hearts of our men so much, that instead of going to buy more Provision at the same place from whence we came before the Storm, or of seeking any more for the Island Prata, they thought of going somewhere to shelter before the Full Moon, for fear of another such Storm at that time : For commonly, if there is any very bad weather in the month, it is about 2 or 3 days before or after the Full, or Change of the Moon.
These thoughts, I say, put our men on thinking where to go, and the Drafts or Sea-plats being first consulted, it was concluded to go to certain Islands lying in lat. 23 d. N. called Piscadores. For there was not a man aboard that was any thing acquaint- ed on these Coasts ; and therefore all our depen- dance was on the Drafts, which only pointed out to us where such and such places or Islands were, without giving us any account, what Harbour, Roads, or Bays there were; or the produce, strength, or trade of them: these we were forced to seek after our selves.
The Piscadores are a great many inhabited Islands, lying near the Island Formosa, between it and China, in or near the lat. of 23 deg. N. lat. almost as high as the Tropick of Cancer. These Piscadore Islands are moderately high, and appear much like our Dorset- shire and Wiltshire Downs in England. They produce thick short Grass, and a few Trees. They are pretty well watered, and they feed abundance of Goats, and some great Cattle. There are abun- dance of Mounts and old Fortifications on them: but