IOI 
1672 ] of the Rest of the Voyage 
Helena ; we shorten’d our sails so as not to near the land 
at night. 
The next day, 3 rd, we cast anchor before the Fort of 
the English, who hold this Island. They sent the Boat on 
shore with some people, to know if we should be well 
receiv’d, & whether we cou’d obtain Water & Wood, & 
buy some supplies. We had a favourable answer from 
the Gentlemen ; several among them, & even the Lieu¬ 
tenant of the King on the Island, came on board, & 
assur’d us of a friendly reception. 
They ask’d us if we were at War with the Dutch, because 
eight days before, one of their Ships which had pass’d the 
Island, had brought them news of the uncertainty of the 
peace between us & the Dutch. We reply’d that we were 
not at war with anybody, at least to our knowledge. 
They told us that they had sent their Governor in a 
Ship to England with his proceedings. 
The next day, the fourth , I went on shore in company 
with two persons of quality who were on board our ship. 
We went into the Fort, where are lodg’d the Officers & 
the most considerable people of the Island. We were 
well receiv’d, & din’d with the Minister who commanded 
there. We stay’d in the Island from morning till evening : 
I walk’d about & laid in some timely provisions. 
The Island of Saint Helena is situated by 16 degrees of 
latitude South of the Line, it contains not more than 7 
to 8 leagues in all, & is very mountainous & unpleasant to 
the view; it has not much wood, & I believe that the soil 
is not at all fertile; there are some wild Horses which 
they cannot domesticate. 
There are also wild Goats, Partridges, Guinea-Fowls & 
other Game. The waters of this island are not of the best, 
for they smell of the mine. There is a fort, passable 
enough for the country, with an English Garrison & good 
cannon. 
