j of the IflandofBarhado^s. 29 



tcr b dear and well tafted. And becaufe their Cattle fliall not be 

 la danger oFmiringor drowning, the beft Husbands rail in a part of' 

 the Pond, where it isof a competent depth, for the water to ftand , 

 and pave that in the bottom with ftone 3 and fo the Cattle neither 

 raife the mud^ nor link in with their feet 5 and fo the water comes clear 

 to them. 



Water they lave likewife from their houfes, by gutters at the eves, 

 which carry it down to cifterns. And the water which is kept there , 

 being within the limits of their houfes^ many ofwhich are built in man- 

 ner of Fortifications, and have Lines, Bulwarks, and Baftionsto defend 

 themfelveSa in cafe tllere fliould be any uproar or commotion in the 

 nland, either by the Chriftianfervants , or Negro Haves i ferves them 

 for drink whilft they are befieged, asalfo, to throw down upon the 

 naked bodies of the Negroes^ fcalding hot 5 which is as good a defence 

 againrt their underminings, as any other weapons. 



If any tumult ordiforder be in thelfland, the next neighbour to it, 

 difcharges aMufquetjWhich gives the Alarum to the whole Ifland j for, 

 Upon the report of that, the next fhootSjandfo the next, and next, till I 

 it go through the lOand ; Upon which warning, they make ready. 



Breadj which is accounted the ftafF, or main fupporter of mans 

 life, has not here that full tafte it has in England , but yet they account 

 it nourifhing and ftrengthening. It is made of the root of a Irnall tree 

 or fhrub, which they call Caffavk-^ the manner ofhis growth I will let 

 alone, till I come to fpeak of Trees and Plants in generaL 



His root only, which we are now toconfider, (becaufe our bread is 

 made of it) is large and round, like the body ofafinall Still or retort 5 

 and as we gather it, we cut fticks that grow neareftto it , of the fame 

 tree, which we put into the ground, and they grow. And as we ga- 

 ther, we plant. This root, before it come to be eaten, lufFers a ftrange 

 converfionj for, being an abfolutepoyfon when 'tis gathered, by good 

 ordering, comes to be wholfom and nourifliing^ and the manner of 

 doing it, is this : They wafh the outfide of the root clean, and lean it 

 againfta Wheel , whole foleis about afoot broad, and covered with 

 Lattin, made rough like a large Grater. The Wheel to be turned 

 about with a foot, as a Cutler turns his Wheel. And as it grates the 

 root, it falls down in a large Trough, which is the receiver appointed 

 for that purpole. This root thus grated, is as rank poyfon, as can be 

 madeby the art of an Apothecary, of the moft venomous fimples he 

 can put together ; but being put intoaftrong piece of double Canvas, 

 or Sackcloth, and prefs'dhard, that all the juice be (queezed out, and 

 then opened upon a cloath, and dryed in the Sun, 'tis ready to make 

 bread. And thus 'tis done. 



They have a piece of Iron , which I guefs is caft round, the dia- 

 meter of which, is about twenty inches, a little hollowed in the mid- 

 dle, not unlike the mould that the Spedacle-makers grinde their 

 glafleson, but not fo much concave as that 5 about half an inch thick 

 at the brim or verge, but thicker towards the middle, with three feet 

 like a pot, about fix inches high , that fire may be underneath. To 

 fuch a temper they heat this Pone, (as they call it J) as to bake, but 

 not burn. When 'tis made thus hot, the Indians^ whom we trufl: to 

 make it, becaufe they are beft acquainted with it , caft the meal upon 

 thePonCj the whole breadth of it, and put it down with their hands, 



I and 



Meat and 

 Drinks for 

 fupfortatioft 

 of life. 



