PORTER'S JOURNAL. 



37 



and water, but for seven months prior to the arrival of the 

 dcasta^ none had been there. There are no females on 

 the island, and none are permitted to be there, from what 

 motives I cannot conceive, except it be to render the place 

 of exile the more horrible. The watering-place is near the 

 beach, at the foot of the rock on which the citadel is placed, 

 and it is with the utmost difficulty and danger that the casks 

 can be got through the surf to the boat. The island pro- 

 duces wood in abundance ; but the Portuguese do not per- 

 mit it to be cut for shipping any where, except on a small is- 

 land to the east of Fernando, called Wooding Island. This 

 island is in tolerably good cultivation, and produces their 

 principal supply of vegetables. There is no boat in the 

 island, and the only means of communication, between 

 Wooding Island and Fernando, is a small raft or catamaran, 

 which is carefully kept in one of the forts, and is capable of 

 bearing only two men. An abundance of fish may be pro- 

 cured, with but little trouble, with the hook and line* 



As clotbirg is not in use here, as hunger may be gratified 

 v/ithout labour, and as there is an appearance of cheerful- 

 ness, those that are not in chains may be supposed, in some 

 measure, reconciled to a state as good, perhaps, as any they 

 had formerly been accustomed to. 



The governor caused his catamaran to be launched 

 through a surf, (which twice filled our boat, and was near 

 destroying her,) and despatched it to Wooding Island for 

 fruit for us, but before she returned we made sail. 



A rise of tide was perceptible here of about five feet. 

 The only anchoring place is near the citadel. 



After leaving Fernando de Noronha we kept close on 

 a wind, for fear of not being able to weather the coast of 

 Brazils, as well as with a view of falling in with the track 

 of vessels from Porto Plate and Rio Janeiro. When abreast 

 the Coast of Pernambuco, although at the distance of sixty 

 leagues, we found the weather extremely sultry and op- 

 pressive, so much so, as to produce an uncommon degree 

 of lassitude, which it was almost impossible to overcome. 

 I therefore considered it advisable to keep the crew as free 

 from exercise as possible, and out of the sun, with a view of 

 preserving their health, which, to this time, was as good as 

 ever. Our sick list was as follows : 



Thomas Ewing, sprained ancle. 



