Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage Round the WorldPretty, Francis
History
Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage Round the World
Pretty, Francis
Voyages and travels; Voyages around the world
After we had satisfied ourselves with some of these fruits, we marched
further into the island, and saw great store of _cabritos_ alive, which
were so chased by the inhabitants that we could do no good towards our
provision; but they had laid out, as it were to stop our mouths withal,
certain old dried _cabritos_, which being but ill, and small and few,
we made no account of. Being returned to our ships, our General departed
hence the 31st of this month, and sailed by the island of Santiago, but
far enough from the danger of the inhabitants, who shot and discharged
at us three pieces; but they all fell short of us, and did us no harm.
The island is fair and large, and, as it seemeth, rich and fruitful,
and inhabited by the Portugals; but the mountains and high places of the
island are said to be possessed by the Moors, who having been slaves to
the Portugals, to ease themselves, made escape to the desert places
of the island, where they abide with great strength. Being before this
island, we espied two ships under sail, to the one of which we gave
chase, and in the end boarded her with a ship-boat without resistance;
which we found to be a good prize, and she yielded unto us good store
of wine. Which prize our General committed to the custody of Master
Doughty; and retaining the pilot, sent the rest away with his pinnace,
giving them a butt of wine and some victuals, and their wearing clothes,
and so they departed. The same night we came with the island called by
the Portugals _Ilha do Fogo_, that is, the burning island; in the north
side whereof is a consuming fire. The matter is said to be of sulphur,
but, notwithstanding, it is like to be a commodious island, because the
Portugals have built, and do inhabit there. Upon the south side thereof
lieth a most pleasant and sweet island, the trees whereof are always
green and fair to look upon; in respect whereof they call it _Ilha
Brava_, that is, the brave island. From the banks thereof into the sea
do run in many places reasonable streams of fresh water easy to come by,
but there was no convenient road for our ships; for such was the depth
that no ground could be had for anchoring. And it is reported that
ground was never found in that place; so that the tops of _Fogo_ burn
not so high in the air, but the roots of _Brava_ are quenched as low in
the sea.
Being departed from these islands, we drew towards the line, where we
were becalmed the space of three weeks, but yet subject to divers great
storms, terrible lightnings and much thunder. But with this misery we
had the commodity of great store of fish, as dolphins, bonitos, and
flying-fishes, whereof some fell into our ships; wherehence they could
not rise again for want of moisture, for when their wings are dry they
cannot fly.
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