Cap. III. The Caribby-lflands. 



Leagues, and not much Ids in breadth, where it is at the great- 

 eft. There are in the midft of it feveral high Mountains, 

 which encompafs an inacceffible bottom, where may be feen 

 from the tops of certain rocks an infinite number of Reptiles^ 

 of a dreadful bulk and length. 



This Ifland is inhabited by the Caribbians, who are very nu- 

 merous in it. They have a long time entertain'd thofe who 

 came to vifit them with a ftory of a vaft and monftrous Serpent, 

 which had its aboad in that bottom. They affirmed that there 

 was on the head of it a very fparkling ftone, like a Carbuncle, 

 of ineftimable price That it commonly veil'd that rich Je- 

 wel with a thin moving fkin, like that of a mans eye-lid 5 but 

 that when it went to drink, or fported himfelf in the midft of 

 that deep bottom, he fully difcover'd it, and that the rocks 

 and all about receiv'd a wonderful luftre from the fire ifluing 

 out of that precious Crown. 



The fupream Perfon of this Ifland was heretofore one of the 

 moft considerable among thofe of the fame Nation. For when 

 all their Forces marched out to Battel againft the Arovagues, 

 their common Enemies of the Continent 5 he had the conduft 

 of the Van-guard and was known by a particular mark which 

 he had about him. 



When any French Ships come neer this Ifland, there are im- 

 mediately feen feveral Canows, in each whereof there are 

 three, or but four Indians at the moft, who come to direct 

 them to the Havens, where they may lafely Anchor. They 

 commonly bring along with them fomeof the Country Fruits, 

 whereof having prefented the Captains and other Officers with 

 the choiceft , they proffer the reft in exchange for Fifhing- 

 hooks , grains of Cryftal , and fuch trifles , as they account 

 precious. 



MA RIG ALAN TA. 



^F^He Ifland of Marigalanta lyes at the altitude of 15 deg. 



JL and 40 minutes. It is a flat Country, and well furnifh'd 

 withwood, which argues it would be fertile enough, ifitwere 

 once reduced to culture. It hath always been frequented by 

 the Indians^ as well in order to Fifhing, as for fome fmall Car- 

 dens which they have in it. 



The laft Letters from the Carribies brought news that Monf. 

 d'Horvet, Governour of Gardeloupe had lately peopled this 

 Ifland, and built a Fort in it to keep under certain Indians^ 

 who would have oppofed his defign, and had kill'd twenty of 

 thofe whom he had fent thither at firft to difcover the Coun- 

 try 5 and that upon that accident he had fent over thither three 

 hundred men, who retreated in the night time to a great Vef- 

 fel they had in the road, till fuch time as the Fort was made 



tenable. 



