Island and, hearing no further news of me, returned. Something likewise
to this purpose Mr. Merry, commander of the Fleet frigate, told me at my
first arrival here; and that the general at Batavia had a copy of my
commission and instructions; but I looked upon it as a very improbable
thing.
While we lay here the Dutch held several consultations about sending some
ships for Europe sooner than ordinary: at last the 16th of October was
agreed upon for the day of sailing, which is 2 months sooner than usual.
They lay ready 2 or 3 days before, and went out on the 10th. Their names
were the Ostresteen, bound to Zealand; the Vanheusen, for Enchiehoust;
and the 3 Crowns, for Amsterdam, commanded by skipper Jacob Uncright, who
was commodore over all the rest. I had by this time finished my business
here, namely fitted the ship, recruited myself with provision, filled all
my water; and, the time of the year to be going for Europe being now at
hand, I prepared to be gone also.
DEPARTURE FROM BATAVIA.
Accordingly on the 17th of October, at half an hour after 6 in the
morning, I weighed anchor from Batavia, having a good land-wind at south,
and fair weather: and by the 19th at noon came up with the 3 Dutch ships
before mentioned. The 29th of November in the morning we saw a small hawk
flying about the ship till she was quite tired. Then she rested on the
mizzen-topsail-yard, where we caught her. It is probable she was blown
off from Madagascar by the violent northerly winds; that being the
nighest land to us, though distance near 150 leagues.
1701.
TOUCH AT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
The 30th December we arrived at the Cape of Good Hope and departed again
on the 11th of January, 1701. About the end of the month we saw abundance
of weeds or blubber swim by us, for I cannot determine which. It was all
of one shape and colour. As they floated on the water they seemed to be
of the breadth of the palm of a man's hand, spread out round into many
branches about the bigness of a man's finger. They had in the middle a
little knob, no bigger than the top of a man's thumb. They were of a
smoke-colour; and the branches, by their pliantness in the water, seemed
to be more simple than jellies, I have not seen the like before.
AND AT ST. HELENA.
The 2nd of February we anchored in St. Helena Road and set sail again
from thence on the 13th.
ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND OF ASCENSION. A LEAK SPRUNG.
On the 21st we made the island of Ascens
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