, we had very
favourable gales again, till we came to the tropic of Cancer. This
tropic is an imaginary circle, which astronomers have invented in the
heavens, limiting the progress of the sun towards the north pole. It is
placed in the latitude of 23 deg. 30 min. Here we were baptized a second
time, as before. The French always perform this ceremony at the tropic
of Cancer, as also under the tropic of Capricorn. In this part of the
world we had very favourable weather, at which we were very glad,
because of our great want of water; for that element is so scarce with
us, that we were stinted to two half pints a man every day.

About the latitude of Barbadoes, we met an English frigate, or
privateer, who first began to give us chase; but finding herself not to
exceed us in force, presently got away: hereupon, we pursued her, firing
several guns, eight-pounders, at her; but at length she escaped, and we
returned to our course. Soon after, we came within sight of Martinico.
We were bent to the coast of the isle of St. Peter, but were frustrated
by a storm, which took us hereabouts. Hence we resolved to steer to
Gaudaloupe, yet we could not reach this island, by reason of the said
storm; so that we directed our course to the isle of Tortuga, being the
very same land we were bound to. We passed along the coast of Punta
Rica, which is extremely agreeable and delightful to the sight, being
adorned with beautiful woods, even to the tops of the mountains. Then we
discovered Hispaniola (of which I shall give a description), and we
coasted about it till we came to Tortuga, our desired port. Here we
anchored, July 7, in the same year, not having lost one man in the
voyage. We landed the goods that belonged to the West-India company,
and, soon after, the ship was sent to Cal de Sac with some passengers.

CHAPTER II

_A description of Tortuga--The fruits and plants there--How the French
first settled there, at two several times, and forced out the
Spaniards--The author twice sold in the said island._

THE island of Tortuga is situate on the north side of Hispaniola, in 20
deg. 30 min. latitude; its just extent is threescore leagues about. The
Spaniards, who gave name to this island, called it so from the shape of
the land, in some manner resembling a great sea-tortoise, called by them
Tortuga-de-mar. The country is very mountainous, and full of rocks, and
yet thick of lofty trees, that grow upon the hardest of those rocks,