the South -Sea. 145? 



In feveral Places of the Road cut the Cables : There is no 

 Shelter from the South and S.W. But the Ifland Guano 

 fomething breaks the Swelling of the Sea. 



As it is advantageous on that Account, it is offenfive for 

 the Stench of Birds Dung that covers it, and the more, be- 

 caufe it lies dire&ly to the Windward of the Ships ,* it is even 

 thought, that it makes the Port unwholfome in Summer ; 

 but it feems to be more likely, that the Diftempers of that 

 Seafon are the Effeft of the great Heats which the Winds 

 cannot temper; becaufe theCourfe of the Air is ftopp'dby 

 the North Coaft, which forms a Gut of Sand and Rocks 

 continually burning. 



However, the W^ter Ships take in is good enough*, Odd Water* 

 it be had after aii-6dd Manner. When the Tide ebbs, iw £* 

 they dig about half a Foot deep in the Sand on the Shore, 

 from whence it falls off, and from thofe fo lhallow Cavi- 

 ties they take good frefli Water, which Keeps well at Sea.- 



The Shore being full of great Stones, having little Wa- Ending p&»- 

 ter, and always rough, the Boats cannot come to fet any ces ' 

 thing afliore, but only in three little Creeks, or Guts, the 

 beft of which is that at the Foot of the Headland. To en- 

 ter it, they muft pafs between two Rocks , and coaft 

 along that on the Starboard Side, among Stones : It is bare 

 at low Water, and may be perceiv'd at high : When Boats 

 have pafs'd it, they turn fliort to the Larboard Side, fleer- 

 ing dire&ly to the firft Houfes ; and thus they enter the 

 great Creek, the Bottom whereof is almoft upon a Level, 

 and there is fo little Water at low Ebb, that Canoes 

 are not afloat, and Boats laden touch at high Water ; fo 

 that, to prevent their being ftaved, they are obliged to 

 ftrengthen the Keel with Iron Bars. 



To obftrud the Landing of Enemies in that Place, tiit^n^mmii 

 Spaniards had made Entrenchments of unburnt Bricks, and 

 a Battery in the Form of a little Fort, whichrflanks the three. 

 Creeks but it is built after a wretched Manner, and is now 

 quite falling to Ruin : So that the faid Village deferves 

 nothing lefs than the Name of a ftrong Place given is 



