Page 474

An.1688

Triste, an Isle near Sumatra.

matra very plainly: we being then in Lat. 6 d. S. The 10th day, being in Lat. 5 d. 11 m. and about 7 or 8 leagues from the Island Sumatra, on the West fide of it, we saw abundance of Coco Nuts swim- ming in the Sea; and we hoysed out our Boat, and took up some of them: as also a small Hatch, or Scuttle rather, belonging to some Bark. The Nuts were very sound, and the Kernel sweet, and in some the Milk or Water in them was yet sweet and good.

The 13th day we came to a small Island called Triste, in Lat. (by observation) 4 d. South: it is a- bout 14 or 15 leagues to the West of the Island Su- matra. From hence to the Northward there are a great many small uninhabited Islands, lying much at the same distance from Sumatra. This Island Triste is not a mile round, and so low, that the Tide flows clear over it. It is of a sandy soil, and full of Coco-nut Trees. The Nuts are but small; yet sweet enough, full, and more ponderous than I ever felt any of that bigness: notwithstanding that every Spring-tide the Salt water goes clear over the Island.

We sent ashore our Canoas for Coco-nuts, and they return'd aboard laden with them three times. Our Strikers also went out and struck some Fish, which was boiled for Supper. They also killed 2 young Aligators, which we salted for the next day.

I had no opportunity at this place to make my Escape as I would have done, and gone over hence to Sumatra, could I have kept a Boat with me. But there was no compassing this: and so the 15th day we went from hence, steering to the Northward on the West side of Sumatra. Our Food now was Rice, and the Meat of the Coco-nuts rasped, and steep'd in water; which made a sort of Milk, into which we did put our Rice, making a pleasant Mess