at, very frequently, they
are deprived of sight for a quarter of an hour.

The French having settled in the isle of St. Christopher, planted there
a sort of trees, of which, at present, there possibly may be greater
quantities; with the timber whereof they made long-boats, and hoys,
which they sent thence westward, well manned and victualled, to discover
other islands. These setting sail from St. Christopher, came within
sight of Hispaniola, where they arrived with abundance of joy. Having
landed, they marched into the country, where they found large quantities
of cattle; such as cows, bulls, horses, and wild boars: but finding no
great profit in these animals, unless they could enclose them, and
knowing, likewise, the island to be pretty well peopled by the
Spaniards, they thought it convenient to enter upon and seize the island
of Tortuga. This they performed without any difficulty, there being upon
the island no more than ten or twelve Spaniards to guard it. These few
men let the French come in peaceably, and possess the island for six
months, without any trouble; meanwhile they passed and repassed, with
their canoes, to Hispaniola, from whence they transported many people,
and at last began to plant the whole island of Tortuga. The few
Spaniards remaining there, perceiving the French to increase their
number daily, began, at last, to repine at their prosperity, and grudge
them the possession: hence they gave notice to others of their nation,
their neighbours, who sent several boats, well armed and manned, to
dispossess the French. This expedition succeeded according to their
desires; for the new possessors, seeing the great number of Spaniards,
fled with all they had to the woods, and hence, by night, they wafted
over with canoes to the island of Hispaniola: this they the more easily
performed, having no women or children with them, nor any great
substance to carry away. Here they also retired into the woods, both to
seek for food, and from thence, with secrecy, to give intelligence to
others of their own faction; judging for certain, that within a little
while they should be in a capacity to hinder the Spaniards from
fortifying in Tortuga.

Meanwhile, the Spaniards of the great island ceased not to seek after
their new guests, the French, with intent to root them out of the woods
if possible, or cause them to perish with hunger; but this design soon
failed, having found that the French were masters both of good gu