Page 549
An. 1691
They depart from Santa Hellena.
My stay ashore here was but two days, to get Refreshments for my self and Jeoly, whom I car- ried ashore with me: and he was very diligent to pick up such things as the Island afforded, carry- ing ashore with him a Bag, which the people of the Isle filled with Roots for him. They flockt about him, and seemed to admire him much. This was the last place where I had him at my own disposal, for the Mate of the Ship, who had Mr. Moodie's share in him, left him entirely to my ma- nagement, I being to bring him to England. But I was no sooner arrived in the Thames, but he was sent ashore to be seen by some eminent persons; and I being in want of Money, was prevailed upon to sell first, part of my share in him, and by degrees all of it. After this I heard he was car- ried about to be shown as a Sight, and that he died of the Small-pox at Oxford.
But to proceed, our Water being fill'd, and the Ships all stocked with fresh Provision, we sailed from hence in Company of the Princess Ann, the James and Mary, and the Josiah, July the 2d, 1691, directing our course towards England, and design- ing to touch no where by the way. We were now in the way of the Trade Winds, which we commonly find at E. S. E. or S. E. by E. or S. E. till we draw near the Line, and sometimes till we are 8 or 10 degrees to the North of the Line. For which reason Ships might shape their course so; as to keep on the African Shore, and pass between Cape Verd, and Cape Verd Islands; for that seems to be the directest course to England. But expe- rience often shews us, that the farthest way about is the nearest way home, and so it is here. For by striving to keep near the African Shore, you meet with the Winds more uncertain, and subject to calms; whereas in keeping the mid way be- tween Africa and America, or rather nearer the American