14^ N A R K A. T I V E O F A N 



CHAR dard ; and here we were extremely happy to meet with 

 our friends in the Vigilance, which veffel (as I have 

 inentioned) had parted company with iis in a gale of wind 

 on the 2d of January, off Cape Finiflerre, and arrived 

 two days before ns in this river. 



Our fliips crews now were in the higheft flow of fpi- 

 rits, feeing themfelves furrounded by the moft delightful 

 verdure, while the river feemed alive by the many boats 

 and barges pafling and re-paffing to fee us, while groups 

 of naked boys and girls were promifcuoufly playing and 

 flouncing, like fo many Tritons and Mermaids, in the 

 water. The fcene was new to all, and nothing was 

 heard but mufic, fmging, and cheering on deck, as well 

 as in the rigging, from the ideas of happinefs which 

 each individual now promifed himfelf in this luxuriant 

 flourifhing fpot, while between decks the heat was be- 

 come infupportable : but how miferably thefe poor fel- 

 lows were miftaken in their reckoning fliall foon be feen. 



I muft indeed acknowledge that nothing could equal 

 the delicious fenfations with which we feemed intoxi- 

 cated by the fragrance of the lemons, limes, oranges, 

 and flowers, wafted over from the adjoining plantations 

 that line the banks of all the rivers in this ever- 

 blooming fettlement, and of which charming fruit, 8cc. 

 large clufters were fent on board our ihips by Colonel 

 de Ponchera of the colonial troops ; this gentleman, 

 being the commandant of Fort Amflerdam, alfo fainted 

 the veflels with nine guns from the batteries, while 

 v/ith an equal number we returned him the compli- 

 ment 



