INTKODUCTION. xlvU 



all thofe obftacles which prevent navigators 

 from approaching that dangerous fiioal, he 

 had the good fortune to bring back to the Ifle 

 of France, the wretched remauis of the crew 

 of the Uiik. Eighty male and female blacks 

 had perifhed, fome through hunger, and 

 others in attempting to fave themfelves on 

 rafts. Seven negrefles fupported for fifteen 

 years all the hardfhips of the mo ft diftreffing 

 fituation that can be imagined. The moft 

 elevated part of this flat is only fifteen feet 

 above the level of the Tea* It is fix hun- 

 dred fathoms in length, and three hundred 

 in breadth. The plumage of birds, faftened 

 together with much ingenuity by thefe 

 negrefies, fupplied them with clothes and 

 covering. This ifland is qbfoiutely barren, 

 and thofe on it are r^ot fiieltcred froip the 

 fury of the waves in th? time of ftprqis. 

 Thefe feven negrefles, who efcaped from all 

 thofe evils which arife from famine and the 

 e % abfolute 



