Whilst all things were thus in disorder at _Hispaniola_, the Admiral _Christopher Columbus_ set Sail a third time with eight Ships from the Haven _Barrameda_, in the Year 1498. To shun the _French_ Pyrates, which watched for the _Indian_ Treasures, he directed his Course to _Madera_, a fruitful Island of Corn, Wine, Sugar, Wax, and Cattel, desolate till _Anno 1420._ Here coming to an Anchor, he sent six Ships away to _Hispaniola_, which himself afterwards followed with the remaining two, steering by the _Flemish_ Islands, or _Acores_, first so call’d from the _Flemings_, the first Planters: Here he dropt Anchor before the City _Angra_ on the Isle _Tercera_, which is sixteen Leagues in circumference, and very Mountainous; the tops whereof are like Spires, and abound with Grapes: the Plain Countrey produces great store of Corn, but it will not keep above twelve Moneths. The Ground is oftentimes terribly shaken by Earthquakes, and between several sulphurous Places, both Flames and Smoak ascend up to the Sky. Near the City _Angra_ is a Fountain which turns Wood into Stone. The Winds in this Place blow so fierce and strong, that they not onely beat down Houses, but wear out Iron, and all manner of Stone-work. In _Angra_ the chief Commander of all the _Flemish_ Isles hath his Residence. The City, surrounded by steep Rocks, lies towards the Sea like a Crescent, or Half-Moon; for at both ends thereof the Mountains extend with deep Points into the Ocean. The uppermost part towards the West stands likewise fortifi’d by a high Rock, as also by another on the East: on both are continual Watches kept; whereof those on the first can discover Ships fifteen Leagues off at Sea, coming either from the _East_ or _West-Indies_; and on the other, all those that come from _Europe_: When they see above fifteen Sail, they put out the Kings great Flag upon the top of all the Rock. This City of _Angra_ is divided into several Streets: the Governor and Archbishop live each in a stately Palace; five handsom Churches are no small ornament to it; the Sea before it abounds with Fish, but are not to be taken in _December_, by reason of the turbulent Waves.