A true & exact history of the island of BarbadosLigon, Richard
History
A true & exact history of the island of Barbados
Ligon, Richard
Barbados -- Description and travel; Plants -- Barbados; Sugar -- Manufacture and refining -- Barbados
The last of those Ilands was _Palma_; a land so high, as after wee
first discovered it; which was in the morning; wee thought to have
reacht it that night, but found our selves farre short of it, next
morning, though wee had a full gaile all that night: so much is the
eye deceived in Land which lyes high. This Iland is about 28 degrees
to the Noreward, and from it to the Iles of _Cape Verd_ about 13
degrees a long way to bee silent, for there is no land between and
therefore I purpose to entertaine you with some Sea delights; for
there is no place so void and empty, where some lawfull pleasure
is not to bee had, for a man that hath a free heart, and a good
Conscience. But these Sea-pleasures are so mixt with Cruelties, as
the trouble of the one, abates much the delight of the other, for
here wee see the great ones, eate up the little ones, as they doe
at Land, and with as little remorse; yet laying that consideration
aside the Chase affords some pleasure to the eyes: for some kinds
of fishes shew themselves above water, for a long while together. I
have seen 20 Porpisces very large of that kinde, Crosse the Prow of
our Ship, one behind another in so steady and constant a course, in
chase of some other fishes; as I have seen a kennell of large Hounds,
in Windsor Forrest, in the chase of a Stag; one following another
directly in a track; and the onely difference I finde is, these doe
not spend their mouthes, but what they want in that is supplyed by
the goodnesse of their noses; for they never are at a fault, but
goe constantly on. The Dolphins likewise pursue the flying Fish,
forcing them to leave their knowne watry Elements, and flye to an
unknowne one, where they meet with as mercilesse enemies; for there
are birds that attend the rising of those fishes; and if they bee
within distance, seldome fayle to make them their owne. These birds,
and no other but of their kinde, love to straggle so far from land;
so that it may be doubted, whether the sea may not bee counted their
naturall home; for wee see them 500 leagues from any land, at Sun
setting; and so it is not possible they should recover land that
night; and on the waves they cannot rest without great hazzard. I
have seen them sometimes light, and sit upon the waves, but with such
Caution: for feare of being taken in by a fish, as her rest is very
unsafe; unlesse when the is covered by the nights dark wings. This
Bird, is a kinde of sea Hawke, somewhat bigger then a Lanner, and of
that colour; but of a far freer wing; and of a longer continuance;
and when she is weary, she finds resting places, if the Seas be
Calme; for then the Turtles lye and sleep upon the waves, for a long
time together; and upon their backs they sit, and sleep securely;
and there, mute, prune, and oyl their feathers; rouse, and doe all
their Offices of nature, and have roome enough for all, for some of
those Turtles are a yeard broad in the back: wee took one with our
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