these were very numerous when Selkirk was here, though we did not see
above two or three during our whole stay. The rats, however, still
keep their ground, and continue here in great numbers, and were very
troublesome to us, by infesting our tents in the night.

[Footnote 4: This name is inexplicable; but, from the context, appears
to refer to some animal of the cavia genus, resembling the rabbit:
Besides, a small islet, a short way S.W. of Juan Fernandez, is named
Isla de Conejos, or Rabbit Island.--E.]

That which furnished us with the most delicious of our repasts, while
at this island, still remains to be described. This was the fish, with
which the whole bay was most abundantly stored, and in the greatest
variety. We found here cod of prodigious size; and by the report of
some of our crew, who had been formerly employed in the Newfoundland
fishery, not less plentiful than on the banks of that island. We had
also cavallies, gropers, large breams, maids, silver-fish, congers of
a particular kind; and above all, a black fish which we esteemed most,
called by some the chimney-sweeper, in shape somewhat resembling a
carp. The beach, indeed, was every where so full of rocks and loose
stones, that there was no possibility of hauling the seyne; but with
hooks and lines we caught what numbers we pleased, so that a boat with
only two or three lines, would return loaded with fish in two or
three hours. The only interruption we ever met with arose from great
quantities of dog-fish and large sharks, which sometimes attended our
boats, and prevented our sport.

Besides these fish, we found one other delicacy in greater perfection,
both as to size, quantity, and flavour, than is to be met with perhaps
in any other part of the world. This was sea craw-fish, usually
weighing eight or nine pounds each, of a most excellent taste, and
in such vast numbers near the edge of the water, that our boat-hooks
often struck into them in putting the boats to and from the shore.

These are the most material articles relating to the accommodations,
soil, vegetables, animals, and other productions of the island of Juan
Fernandez, by which it will distinctly appear how admirably this place
was adapted for recovering us from the deplorable situation to which
we had been reduced by our tedious and unfortunate navigation round
Cape Horn. Having thus given the reader some idea of the situation and
circumstances of this island, in which we resided