232 
PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
twice after showers of rain ; but all my researches were ineffec¬ 
tual, although I traced the ravine of this place to the top of the 
mountain. While I was about embarking, I perceived three or 
four small birds, of the size of a sparrow, fluttering about a moist 
place, on the side of a cliff, over my head ; and on further obser¬ 
vation I perceived that the small birds of this description con¬ 
stantly resorted here for the purpose of sucking the moisture 
from the rock; and, by a closer examination, I discovered that 
beneath this place a small and rude basin had been formed in the 
rock, for the purpose of catching the drops of water, which per¬ 
haps at certain seasons of the year trickle down the side of the 
cliff. At the time I visited the place, the basin was perfectly dry ; 
and I should not have known the purpose for which it was intend¬ 
ed had not I noticed the marks of a pick-axe, or some other iron 
instrument, in the rock. Of these places captain Colnet, in his 
view of James’ island, gives the following description : 
“ Round the north-west point is a small bay, which I take for 
the one the buccaniers call Fresh-water bay, in which were 
many of their traces such as old jars, See. ; also ground cleared 
away, either as a platform for guns or to land stores, &c.; but the 
water since then has taken a different course, and falls down be¬ 
tween two hills, and runs over a little clift of rocks into the 
sea.” 
“ As soon as the ship was secured, I set out with Mr. Sharp 
to search for water in Fresh-water bay, where the buccaniers 
had formerly supplied themselves, but the surf prevented us 
from landing. We rowed close to the beach, but saw not the 
least signs of any spring or rivulet. Boats were dispatched from 
both vessels to different parts of the shore, and my chief mate 
was sent away to the south for a night and a day. On the follow¬ 
ing morning, at the dawn of day, the whaling-master was ordered 
to land if the surf was fallen, and search Fresh-water bay. He 
accomplished getting on shore, but found no water; in the even¬ 
ing the chief mate returned with the same account of his unsuc¬ 
cessful errand. For my own part, I never gave up my opinion, 
that there was plenty of fresh water in the isle ; but as neither of 
my boats were in a condition to encounter the least bad weather, 
