342 VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



from Campeachy, were rum and sugar, " and very 

 good commodities," says the sailor, " were these for 

 the logwood-cutters, who were then (1675) about 

 250 men, most English." * * * " Neither 

 was it long," he adds, " before we had these mer- 

 chants come on board to visit us; we were but six 

 men and a boy in the ship, and all little enough to 

 'entertain them : for besides what rum we sold by the 

 gallon or firkin, we sold it made into punch where- 

 with they grew frolicksome. We had none but 

 small arms to fire at their drinking healths, and 

 therefore the noise was not very great at a distance, 

 but on board the vessel we were loud enough till all 

 our liquor was spent. We took no money nor ex- 

 pected any, for logwood was what we came hither 

 for, and we had of that in lieu of our commodities 

 after the rate of five pound per ton to be paid at the 

 place where they cut it *." 



This occasional festivity, a prospect perhaps of 

 making more than by regular labour in the British 

 colonies, and the entire freedom from all restraint, 

 were circumstances likely to recommend the life of a 

 logwood-cutter in spite of its frequent hardships. It 

 had such charms to the adventurous Dampier him- 

 self that he soon returned and settled for ten or 

 twelve months at Campeachy, and left that place 

 xvith the intention of again returning for a longer 

 stay. He thus quaintly describes the manner in 

 which the logwood men lived. 



" The logwood-cutters inhabit the creeks of the 

 east and west lagunes in small companies, building 

 their huts by the creeks' sides for the benefit of the 

 sea breezes, as near the logwood groves as they can, 

 removing often to be near their business : yet when 

 they are settled in a good open place, they choose 

 rather to go half a mile in their canvas to work than 

 * Voyage to the Bay of Campeachy, 



