ted my ship's company very much,
though I had told them they were to look for them: but they being
ignorant as to what I told them farther, that these were only coasting
winds, sweeping the shore to about 40 or 50 leagues in breadth from it,
and imagining that they had blown so all the sea over, between America
and Africa; and being confirmed in this their opinion by the Portuguese
pilots of European ships, with whom several of my officers conversed
much, and who were themselves as ignorant that these were only coasting
tradewinds (themselves going away before them in their return homewards
till they cross the Line, and so having no experience of the breadth of
them) being thus possessed with a conceit that we could not sail from
hence till September; this made them still the more remiss in their
duties, and very listless to the getting things in a readiness for our
departure. However I was the more diligent myself to have the ship
scrubbed, and to send my water casks ashore to get them trimmed, my beer
being now out. I went also to the governor to get my water filled; for
here being but one watering-place (and the water running low, now at the
end of the dry season) it was always so crowded with the European ships'
boats, who were preparing to be gone, that my men could seldom come nigh
it till the governor very kindly sent an officer to clear the
watering-place for my men, and to stay there till my water-casks were all
full, whom I satisfied for his pains. Here I also got aboard 9 or 10 ton
of ballast, and made my boatswain fit the rigging that was amiss: and I
enquired also of my particular officers, whose business it was, whether
they wanted any stores, especially pitch and tar; for that here I would
supply myself before I proceeded any farther; but they said they had
enough, though it did not afterwards prove so.

I commonly went ashore every day, either upon business, or to recreate
myself in the fields, which were very pleasant, and the more for a shower
of rain now and then, that ushers in the wet season. Several sorts of
good fruits were also still remaining, especially oranges, which were in
such plenty that I and all my company stocked ourselves for our voyage
with them, and they did us a great kindness; and we took in also a good
quantity of rum and sugar: but for fowls, they being here lean and dear,
I was glad I had stocked myself at St. Jago. But, by the little care my
officers took for fresh provisions, o