NARRATIVE OF AN 



alcove a thoufand hogllieads of water. This in fa<St is 

 no more than neceffary ; fince, according to my opinion, 

 it will take the whole army of Surinam to defend fo large 

 an extent for any length of time. Adjoining to the for- 

 ti'efs is alfo a large fpot of ground, well ftocked with 

 plantains, yams, Sec. in order to feed the Society flaves, 

 which are kept here, at the colony's expence, to work 

 at the fortifications, under the infpedion of a proper 

 overfeer. 



In this fort is generally flationed a fmall garrifon, com- 

 manded hy an officer of the artillery, which obliges all 

 veffels whatever to bring-to, fliew their colours, and falute 

 them with feven guns each, the compliment being an- 

 fwered with three guns from the battery, and the hoift- 

 ing of a flag on the ramparts. I fliall only add, that 

 this fortrefs is, on the north-eaft lide, furrounded with 

 bogs and impenetrable bullies, and that the fpot was, 

 from thefe circumftances, formerly called the Tyger's 

 Hole. 



Having defcribed fort New Amfterdam, I cannot leave 

 it without taking notice of fome very remarkable fifh, 

 which are always feen in great quantities near this town, 

 and which have a6lually four eyes, fwimming conftantly 

 with two above and two under the water. Thefe fillies 

 are about the fize of a fmelt, and fwim in fhoals with 

 incredible velocity ; they feem principally to delight in 

 brackifli water, are accounted no bad eating, and are 

 called coot-eye by the inhabitants of the colony. 



This 



