Page 481
An.1688
The Authors reasons for staying here.
they take up a Bambo in the place where they would fit ; and lay it by to make room for their Legs. The Canoas of those of the rest of these Islands were like those of Nicobar : and probably they were alike in other things ; for we saw no difference at all in the Natives of them, who came hither while we were here.
But to proceed with our affairs : it was, as I said before, the 5th day of May, about 10 in the morn- ing, when we anchored at this Island : Captain Read immediately ordered his Men to heel the Ship in order to clean her: which was done this day and the next. All the Water Vessels were fill'd, they intending to go to Sea at night : for the winds being yet at N. N. E. the Captain was in hopes to get over to Cape Comorin before the wind shifted. Otherwise it would have been somewhat difficult for him to get thither ; because the Wester- ly Monsoon was now at hand.
I thought now was my time to make my Escape, by getting leave, if possible, to stay here: for it seem'd not very feasible to do it by stealth ; and I had no reason to despair of getting leave : this being a place where my stay could, probably, do our Crew no harm, should I design it. Indeed one reason that put me on the thoughts of staying at this particular place, besides the present oppor- tunity of leaving Captain Read, which I did al- ways intend to do, assoon as I could, was, that I had here also a prospect of advancing a profitable Trade for Ambergrease with these People, and of gaining a considerable fortune to my self : For in a short time I might have learned their Language, and by accustoming my self to row with them in the Proes or Canoas, especially by conforming my self to their Customs and Manners of living, I should have seen how they got their Ambergrease, and have known what quantities they get, and the