1?7«5» ROUND THE WORLD. 253 



next the main island, where there are several others ; 

 all of which seemed to have every advantage that na- 

 ture can give them, and they are so disposed as 

 wholly to command all the anchoring and landing- 

 places about the island. We continued to steer round 

 the northern point, till the sandy beaches (before 

 which is the road for shipping) began to appear, and 

 the forts and the peaked hills were open to the west- 

 ward of the said point. At this time, on a gun being 

 tired from one of the forts, the Portuguese colours 

 were displayed, and the example was followed by all 

 the other forts. As the purpose for which I made 

 the island was now answered, I had no intention to 

 anchor ; and therefore, after firing a gun to leeward, 

 we made sail and stood away to the northward, with a 

 fine fresh gale at E. S. E. The peaked hill or church 

 tower bore ■ south, 27° west, distant about four or 

 five miles ; and from this point of view it leans, or 

 over-hangs, to the east. This hill is nearly in the 

 middle of the island, which no where exceeds two 

 leagues in extent, and shows a hilly unequal surface, 

 mostly covered with wood and herbage.. 



Ulloa says, " This island hath two harbours, capa- 

 " ble of receiving ships of the greatest burden ; one 

 " is on the north side, and the other on the N. W. 

 " The former is, in every respect, the principal, 

 " both for shelter and capacity, and the goodness of 

 " its bottom ; but both are exposed to the north and 

 " west, though these winds, particularly the north, 

 " are periodical, and of no long continuance." He 

 further says, that you anchor in the north harbour 

 (which is no more than what I would call a road) in 

 thirteen fathoms' water, one third of a league from 

 shore, bottom of fine sand; the peaked hill above 

 mentioned bearing S. W. 8° southerly.* 



This road seems to be well sheltered from the south 



* See Don Antonio d'Ulloa's Book, vol. ii. chap. 3. page 95 

 to 102, where there is a very particular account of this island 



