The iNTnODUC TI O 2$ 



indulge a Time, and become ready for new Expe- 

 ditions before any Intelligence can reach to hurt 

 them. 



It may here perhaps be no unneceffary Digre^^ 

 fion, to explain upon what they call Keys in the 

 We[i'Indies : Theie are fmall fandy Iflands, appear- 

 ing a little above the Surl* of the Water, with only 

 a few Bufhes or Weeds upon them, but abound 

 (thofe moft at any Diftance from the Main^ with 

 Turtle, amphibious Animals, that always chufe 

 the quieteft and moft unfrequented Place, for lay-^ 

 ing their Eggs, which are to a vaft Number in the 

 ^Seafonjf, and would feldom be feen, but for thi^, 

 (ejccept by PyratesiJ Then Veffels from Jamaica^ 

 and the other Governments make Voyages, called 

 Turtling, for fupplying the People, a common and 

 approved Food with them. I am apt to think thefe 

 Keysy efpeciallv thofe nigh Iflands, tpliave been once 

 contiguous with them, and feparated by Earth-* 

 quakes (frequently there) or Inundations, becaufe 

 jfome pt them that have been within continual 

 View, as thofe nigh ^amaica^ are obferved within 

 our Time, to be entirely waited away and loft, and 

 others daily wafting. There are not only of the 

 Ufe above taken Notice of to Py rates ^ but it is 

 commonly believed were always in buccaneering 

 pyratical Times, the hiding Places for their Riches, 

 and often Times a Shelter for themlelves, till their 

 Friends on the Main, had found Means to obtain 

 Indemnity for their Crimes ^ for you muft under- 

 ftSnd, when Afts of Grace were morfe frequent, 

 and the Laws lefs fevere, thefe Men continually 

 found Favours and Incouragers at Jamhlca^ and 

 perhaps they are not all dead yet I have been 

 told many of them them ftill living have been of 

 the fame Trade, and left it off only becaufe they 

 can live as well hoaeftly, and gain iiow at the ha^ 

 'Zjard of others ISIecks. 



Secondly 



