PORTER’S JOURNAL. 95 
-skilful from having an opportunity of killing them ; but many of 
the poor animals were wounded in different parts of the body, 
and made their escape with the blood streaming from their 
wounds; whereas, expert marksmen would not have fired, until 
they were sure of shooting them through some vital part. I have 
no doubt, that in the few hours we were on shore, we were the 
cause of the death of at least a dozen horses, and double the 
number of hogs, that made their escape after being wounded; 
and from the great number of bones that are scattered in every 
direction on the island, I have reason to believe, that the same 
cruel warfare has been pursued by other navigators, who have 
touched there. The animals are so numerous, that one good 
marksman could more than supply a ship’s company of 300 men 
with fresh provisions, without making such cruel and unnecessary 
destruction among them, as I have too much reason to believe we 
caused; and it is greatly to be lamented, that visitors to this 
island should indulge themselves in such wanton cruelty, as must, 
in time, deprive navigators of those refreshments, they may be 
otherwise certain of meeting with ; and, as they enjoy in common 
these advantages, it is a duty they owe to each other, to endeavour 
as much as possible to preserve them. 
This island, which is situated in lat. 38° 21' 37 " Sv, long. 74° 
38' 26" W., is about 20 miles in circumference, has a ver¬ 
dant and beautiful appearance, its hills being covered to their 
summits with trees of a large size, and clumps of them are near 
the water’s edge, which renders wooding very easy. Ships may 
also supply themselves with excellent water, from several beauti¬ 
ful streams, which discharge themselves on the west side; it 
would, however, be necessary to wait for a favourable time to 
take the casks off, as, when the sea is high, the surf beats with 
great violence 
It was settled in the early part of the last century by the 
Spaniards, and was deserted by them, perhaps in consequence of 
the terrors excited by the buccaniers. It is now frequented by 
vessels engaged in smuggling, and in the whale fishery, as well 
as those employed in catching seals; great numbers of which are 
always to be found on the rocks and small keys. Shags, penguins, 
