Page 521
An.1691
The set Sail for the Cape of Good Hope.
C H A P. XIX.
The Author's departure from Bencouli, on board the Defence, under Captain Heath. Of a fight between some French Men of War from Ponticheri, and some Dutch Ships from Pallacat, joined with some English, in fight of Fort St. George. Of the bad Water taken in at Bencouli ; and the strange sickness and death of the Seamen, supposed to be occasioned thereby. A Spring at Bencouli recommended. The great exigences on board: a Consult held, and a Proposal made to go to Johanna. A Resolution taken to prosecute their Voyage to the Cape of Good Hope. The Wind favours them. The Captains Conduct They arrive at the Cape, and are helped into Harbour by the Dutch. A description of the Cape, its Prof- pect, Soundings, Table Mount, Harbour, Soil, &c. large Pomegranates and good Wines. The Land-Animals. A very beautiful kind of Onager, or Wild Ass, striped regularly black and white. Ostrages. Fish. Seals. The Dutch Fort and Factory. Their fine Garden. The Traffick here.
BEing thus got on board the Defence, I was con- cealed there, till a Boat which came from the Fort laden with Pepper was gone off again. And then we set sail for the Cape of Good Hope, Jan. 25, 1691. and made the best of our way, as wind and weather would permit; expecting there to meet