[ch20 is page 536-550] 536 An.1691 Of the Hodmadods or Hottantots. JPG + 2 CHAP XX. JPG [---+++] Of the Natural Inhabitants of the Cape of Good Hope , the Hodmadods or Hottantots. Their Personage , Garb , besmearing them- selves ; their Cloathing , Houses , Food , way of Living , and Dancing at the Full of the Moon : Compared in those respects with other Negroes and Wild Indians. Captain Heath refreshes his Men at the Cape , and getting some more hands , departs in compa- ny with the James and Mary , and the Josiah. A great swelling Sea from the S.W. They arrive at Santa Hellena , and there meet with the Princess Ann , homeward bound. The Air , Situation , and Soil of that Island. Its first discovery and change of Masters since. How the English got it. Its Strength , Town , Inhabitants , and the product of their Plantations. The Santa Hellena Manatee no other than the Sea Lyon. Of the English Women at this Isle. The English Ships re- fresh their Men here ; and depart all toge- ther. Of the different Courses from hence to England. Their Course , and arrival in the English Channel and the Downs. JPG + 4 [---+++] THe Natural Inhabitants of the Cape are the Hodmadods , as they are commonly called , which is a corruption of the Word Hottantot ; for this is the Name by which they call to one ano- ther , either in their Dances , or on any occasion , as JPG + 4 [+++---] 537 An.1691 The Custom of anointing their Bodies. JPG + 2 as if every one of them had this for his Name. The word probably hath some signification or other in their Language , whatever it is. JPG + 2 [---+++] These Hottantots are people of a middle stature , with small Limbs and thin Bodies , full of activity. Their Faces are of a flat oval Figure , of the Negro make , with great Eye-brows , black Eyes , but neither are their Noses so flat , nor their Lips so thick , as the Negroes of Guinea. Their Complexion is darker than the common Indians ; tho not so black as the Negroes or New Hollanders ; neither is their Hair so much frizzled. JPG + 4 [---+++] They besmear themselves all over with Grease , as well to keep their Joints supple , as to fence their half naked Bodies from the Air , by stopping up their Pores. To do this the more effectually , they rub Soot over the greafed parts , especially their Faces , which adds to their natural Beauty , as Painting does in Europe ; but withal sends from them a strong smell , which though sufficiently pleasing to themselves , is very unpleasant to others. They are glad of the worst of Kitchin-stuff for this purpose , and use it as often as they can get it. JPG + 4 [---+++] This custom of anointing the Body is very common in other parts of Africa , especially on the Coast of Guinea , where they generally use Palm-oyl , anointing themselves from Head to Foot ; but when they want Oyl , they make use of Kitchin-stuff , which they buy of the Europeans , that Trade with them. In the East Indies also , especially on the Coast of Cudda and Malacca , and in general , on almost all the Easterly Islands , as well on Sumatra , Java , &c. as on the Philippine and Spice Islands , the Indian Inhabitants anoint themselves with Coco-nut Oyl , two or three times a day , especially mornings and evenings. They spend sometimes half an hour in chafing the JPG + 4 [+++---] 538 An.1691 The Hottantots Garb. JPG + 2 the Oyl , and rubbing it into their Hair and Skin , leaving no place unfmear'd with Oyl , but their Face , which they daub not like these Hottantots. The Americans also in some places do use this cu- stom , but not so frequently , perhaps for want of Oyl and Grease to do it. Yet some American In- dians in the North Seas , frequently daub themselves with a Pigment made with Leaves , Roots , or Herbs , or with a fort of red Earth , giving their Skins a yellow , red , or green colour , according as the Pigment is. And these smell unfavourably enough to people not accustomed to them ; tho not so rank as those who use Oyl or Grease. JPG + 4 [---+++] The Hottantots do wear no covering on their Heads , but deck their Hair with small Shells. Their Garments are Sheep-skins wrapt about their Shoulders like a Mantle , with the woolly sides next their Bodies. The men have ; besides this Mantle , a pieces of Skin like a small Apron , hanging before them. The Women have another Skin tucked about their Wasties , which comes down to their Knees like a Petticoat ; and their Legs are wrapt round with Sheep-guts , two or three inches thick , some up as high as to their Calves , others even from their Feet to their Knees , which at a small distance seems to be a sort of Boots. These are put on when they are green ; and so they grow hard and stiff on their Legs , for they never pull them off again , till they have occasion to eat them ; which is when they journey from home , and have no other food : then these Guts , which have been worn , it may be , 6, 8, 10, or 12 months , make them a good Banquet : This I was informed of by the Dutch. They never pull off their Sheep- skin Garments , but to louse themselves , for by continual wearing them they are full of Vermin , which obliges them often to strip and sit in the JPG + 4 [+++---] 539 An.1691 Their Houses. JPG + 2 the Sun two or three hours together in the heat of the day , to destroy them. Indeed most Indi- ans that live remote from the Equator , are mo- lefted with Lice , though their Garments afford less shelter for Lice , than these Hottantots Sheep- skins do. For all those Indians who live in cold Countries , as in the North and South parts of America , have some fort of Skin or other to cover their Bodies , as Deer , Otter , Beaver or Seals Skins , all which they as constantly wear , without shifting themselves , as these Hottantots do their Sheep Skins. And hence they are lowfy too , and strong scented , though they do not daub them- selves at all , or but very little ; for even by reason of their Skins they smell strong. JPG + 4 [---+++] The Hottantots Houses are the meanest that I did ever see. They are about 9 or 10 foot high , and 10 or 12 from side to side. They are in a manner round , made with small poles stuck into the ground , and brought together at the top where they are fastned. The sides and top of the House are filled up with Boughs coursely watled be- tween the poles , and all is covered over with long Grass , Rushes , and pieces of Hides ; and the House appears at a distance just like a Hay cock. They leave only a small hole on one side about three or four foot high , for a door to creep in and out at ; but when the wind comes in at this door , they stop it up , and make another hole in the opposite side. They make the Fire in the middle of the House , and the smoak ascends out of the crannies , from all parts of the House. They have no Beds to lye on , but tumble down at night round the fire. JPG + 4 [---+++] Their Houshold furniture is commonly an earth- en pot or two to boyl Victuals , and they live very miserably and hard ; it is reported that they will fast two or three days together , when they travel about the Country. Their JPG + 4 [+++---] 540 An.1691 Their Food and Bartering. JPG + 2 Their common food is either Herbs , Flesh , or Shell-fish , which they get among the Rocks , or other places at low water : for they have no Boats , Barklogs , nor Canoas to go a fishing in ; so that their chiefest subsistence is on Land Animals , or on such Herbs as the Land na- turally produceth. I was told by my Dutch Land- lord , that they kept Sheep and Bullocks here be- fore the Dutch settled among them : and that the Inland Hottantots have still great stocks of Cattle , and sell them to the Dutch for Rolls of Tobacco ; and that the price for which they sell a Cow or Sheep , was as much twisted Tobacco , as will reach from the Horns or Head , to the Tail ; for they are great lovers of Tobacco , and will do any thing for it. This their way of trucking was confirmed to me by many others , who yet said that they could not buy their Beef this cheap way , for they had not the liberty to deal with the Hot- tantots , that being a priviledge which the Dutch East India Company reserve to themselves. My Landlord having a great many Lodgers , fed us most with Mutton , some of which he bought of the Butcher , and there is but one in the Town ; but most of it he kill'd in the night , the Sheep being brought privately by the Hottantots , who assisted in Skinning and Dressing , and had the Skin and Guts for their pains. I judge these Sheep were fetched out of the Country , a good way off , for he himself would be absent a day or two to procure them , and two or three Hottantots with him. These of the Hottantots that live by the Dutch Town , have their greatest subsistence from the Dutch , for there is one or more of them be- longing to every house. These do all sorts of servile work , and there take their Food and Grease. Three or four more of their nearest Relations sit at the doors or near the Dutch House , waiting for JPG + 4 [+++---] 541 An.1691 Their Dancing by Moon-light. for the scraps and fragments that come from the Table ; and if between meals the Dutch people have any occasion for them, to go on Errands, or the like, they are ready at command ; expect- ing little for their pains; but for a stranger they will not budge under a Stiver. [---+++] Their Religion, if they have any, is wholly unknown to me ; for they have no Temple nor Idol, nor any place of worship that I did see or hear of. Yet their mirth and nocturnal pastimes at the New and Full of the Moon, lookt as if they had some Superstition about it. For at the Full especially they sing and dance all night, making a great noise : I walked out to their Huts twice at these times, in the evening, when the Moon arose above the Horizon, and viewed them for an hour or more. They seem all very busie, both Men, Women and Children, dancing very oddly on the green Grass by their Houses. They traced to and fro promiscuously, often clapping their hands and singing aloud. Their Faces were sometimes to the East, sometimes to the West: neither did I see any motion or gesture that they used when their Faces were toward the Moon, more than when their backs were towards it. Af- ter I had thus observed them for a while, I return- ed to my Lodging, which was not above 2 or 300 paces from their Huts ; and I heard them Singing in the same manner all night. In the grey of the morning I walked out again, and found many of the men and women still Singing and Dancing ; who continued their mirth till the Moon went down, and then they left off : Some of them going into their Huts to sleep, and others to their attendance in their Dutch houses. Other Negroes are less circumspect in their Night- Dances, as to the precise time of the Full Moon, they being more general in these Nocturnal pa- ftimes, [+++---] 542 An.1691 They refresh themselves at the Cape. ftimes, and use them oftener; as do many people also in the East and West Indies: Yet there is a dif- ference between colder and warmer Countries as to their Divertisements. The warmer Climates being generally very preductive of delicate Fruits, &c. and these uncivilized people caring for little else than what is barely necessary, they spend the greatest part of their time in diverting themselves, after their several fashions; but the Indians of colder Climates are not so much at leisure, the Fruits of the Earth being scarce with them, and they necessitated to be continually Fishing, Hunt- ing, or Fowling for their subsistence; not as with us for Recreation. [---+++] As for these Hottantots, they are a very lazy sort of people, and tho they live in a delicate Country, very fit to be manured, and where there is Land enough for them, yet they choose rather to live as their Fore-fathers, poor and miserable, than be at pains for plenty. And so much for the Hottantots : I shall now return to our own affairs. [---+++]Upon our arrival at the Cape, Captain Heath took an House to live in, in order to recover his health. Such of his Men as were able did so too, for the rest he provided Lodgings and paid their expences. Three or four of our men, who came ashore very sick, died, but the rest, by the assist- ance of the Doctors of the Fort, a fine Air, and good Kitchin and Cellar Physick, soon recovered their healths. Those that subscribed to be at all calls, and assisted to bring in the Ship, received Cap- tain Heath's Bounty, by which they furnished themselves with Liquor for their homeward Voyage. But we were now so few, that we could not fail the Ship; therefore Captain Heath desired the Governour to spare him some men ; and as I was informed , had a promise to be fu pplied [+++---]543 An.1691 They leave the Cape. A Storm arifes. supplied out of the homeward bound Dutch East India Ships, that were now expected every day, and we waited for them. In the mean time in came the James and Mary, and the Josiah of London bound home. Out of these we thought to have been furnished with men : but they had only e- nough for themselves; therefore we waited yet longer for the Dutch Fleet, which at last arrived: but we could get no men from them. [---+++] Captain Heath was therefore forced to get men by stealth, such as he could pick up, whether Sol- diers or Seamen. The Dutch knew our want of men, therefore near 40 of them, those that had a design to return to Europe, came privately and of- fered themselves, and wai ted in the night at places appointed, where our Boats went and fetched 2 or 4 aboard at a time, and hid them ; especially when any Dutch Boat came aboard our Ship. Here at the Cape I met my friend Daniel Wallis, the same who leapt into the Sea and swam at Pulo Condure. After several Traverses to Madagascar, Don Mascarin, Ponticherri, Pegu, Cunni- mere, Maderas, and the River of Hugli, he was now got hither in a homeward bound Dutch Ship. I soon perswaded him to come over to us, and found means to get him aboard our Ship. [---+++] About the 23d of May we sailed from the Cape, in the company of the James and Mary, and the Josiah, directing our Course towards the Island Santa Hellena. We met nothing of remark in this Voyage, except a great fwelliing Sea, out of the S. W. which taking us on the broad fide, made us rowl sufficiently. Such of our Water-Casks as were between Decks, running from side to side, were in a short time all staved, and the Deck well washed with the fresh water. The Shot tumbled out the Lockers and Garlands ; and rung a lowd peal, rumbling from side to side, every rowl that the [+++---] 544 An.1691 Their Passage to Santa Hellena. the Ship made: neither was it an easie matter to reduce them again within bounds. The Guns, being carefully look'd after and lash'd fast, never budg d, but the Tackles or Pulleys, and Lashings, made great Musick too. The sudden and violent motion of the Ship, made us fearful left some of the Guns should have broken loose, which must have been very detrimental to the Ships sides. The Masts were also in great danger to be rowl'd by the board: but no harm hapned to any of us besides the loss of 3 or 4 Butts of Water, and a Barrel or 2 of good Cape Wine, which was staved in the great Cabbin. [---+++] This great Tumbling Sea, took us shortly after we came from the Cape. The violence of it lasted but one Night: yet we had a continual fwel- ling came out of the S. W. almost during all the passage to Santa Hellena : which was an eminent token that the S. W. Winds were now violent in the higher latitudes towards the South Pole ; for this was the time of the year for those Winds. Notwithstanding this boifterous Sea coming thus obliquely upon us, we had fine clear weather, and a moderate gale at S. E. or between that and the East, till we came to the Island Santa Hellena, where we arrived the 20th day of June. There we found the Princess Ann at an Anchor, waiting for us. [---+++]The Island Santa Hellena lies in about 16 De- grees South lat. The Air is commonly ferene and clear, except in the months that yield Rain ; yet we had one or two very rainy days, even while we were here. Here are moist seasons to plant and sow, and the weather is temperate enough as to heat, tho so near the Equator, and very healthy. [---+++]The Island is but small, not above nine or ten leagues in length, and stands 3 or 400 leagues from [+++---] 545 An.1691 Of the several Owners of Santa Hellena. from the main Land. It is bounded against the Sea with steep Rocks, so that there is no landing but at 2 or 3 places. The Land is high and Mountainous, and seems to be very dry and poor; yet there are fine Valleys, proper for cultivation. The Mountains appear bare , only in some places you may see a few low Shrubs, but the Valleys afford some Trees fit for building, as I was in• formed. [---+++]This Island is said to have been first discov'd and fettled by the Portuguesse, who stockt it with Goats and Hogs. But it being afterwards de- ferted by them, it lay waste, till the Dutch, find- ing it convenient to relieve their East India Ships, settled it again; but they afterwards relinquished it for a more convenient place ; I mean the Cape of Good Hope. Then the English East India Compa- ny settled their servants there, and began to For- tify it, but they being yet weak, the Dutch about the year 1672 came thither, and re-took it, and kept it in their possession. This news being re- ported in England, Captain Monday was sent to re-take it, who by the advice and conduct of one that had formerly lived there, landed a Party of Armed Men in the night in a small Cove, un- known to the Dutch then in Garrison, and climb- ing the Rocks, got up into the Island, and so came in the morning to the Hills hanging over the Fort, which stands by the Sea in a small Val- ley. From thence firing into the Fort, they foon made them surrender. There were at this time two or three Dutch East India Ships, either at Anchor, or coming thither, when our Ships were there. These, when they saw that the English were Masters of the Island again, made sail to be gone ; but being chaced by the English Frigots, 2 of them became rich prizes to Captain Monday and his men. [---+++] 546 An. 1691 The Strength, Town, & Product of Santa Hellena. ---+++ The Island hath continued ever since in the hands of the English East-India Company, and hath been greatly strengthened both with Men and Guns; so that at this day it is secure enough from the invasion of any Enemy. For the common Landing-place is a small Bay, like a Half-Moon, scarce 500 paces wide, between the two points. Close by the Sea side are good Guns planted at equal distances, lying along from one end of the Bay to the other: besides a small Fort, a little fur- ther in from the Sea, near the midst of the Bay: All which makes this Bay so strong, that it is im- possible to force it. The small Cove where Cap- tain Monday landed his men when he took the Island from the Dutch, is scarce fit for a Boat to land at; and yet that is now also fortified. ---+++ There is a small English Town within the great Bay, standing in a little Valley, between two high steep Mountains. There may be about 20 or 30 small Houses, whose Walls are built with rough Stones: The inside furniture is very mean. The Governour hath a pretty tolerably handsome low House, by the Fort; where he commonly lives, having a few Souldiers to attend him, and to guard the Fort. But the Houses in the Town before mentioned stand empty, save only when Ships arrive here; for their Owners have all Plantations farther in the Island, where they con- stantly employ themselves. But when Ships ar- rive, they all flock to the Town, where they live all the time that the Ships lye here; for then is their Fair or Market, to buy such necessaries as they want, and to sell off the produce of their Plantations. ---+++ Their Plantations afford Potatoes, Yames, and some Plantains and Bonanoes. Their stock con- sists chiefly of Hogs, Bullocks, Cocks and Hens, Ducks, Geese, and Turkeys, of which they have great +++--- 547 An. 1691 No Manatee at Santa Hellena. ---+++ great plenty, and sell them at a low rate to the Sailors, taking in exchange, Shirts, Drawers, or any light Cloaths; pieces of Callico, Silks, or Muzlins: Arack, Sugar, and Lime-juice, is also much esteemed and coveted by them. But now they are in hopes to produce Wine and Brandy, in a short time; for they do already begin to plant Vines for that end, there being a few French men there to manage that affair. This I was told, but I saw nothing of it, for it rained so hard when I was ashore, that I had not the opportunity of seeing their Plantations. I was also informed, that they get Manatee or Sea-cows here, which seemed very strange to me. Therefore enquiring more strictly into the matter, I found the Santa Hellena Manatee to be, by their Shapes, and manner of lying ashore on the Rocks, those Crea- tures called Sea-lyons: for the Manatee never come ashore, neither are they found near any rocky Shores, as this Island is, there being no feeding for them in such places. Besides, in this Island there is no River for them to drink at, tho there is a small Brook runs into the Sea, out of the Valley by the Fort. ---+++ We stayed here 5 or 6 days, all which time the Islanders lived at the Town, to entertain the Seamen; who constantly flockt ashore, to enjoy themselves among their Country people. Our touching at the Cape had greatly drained the Seamen of their loose Corns, at which these If- landers as greatly repined; and some of the poorer sort openly complained against such doings, saying, it was fit that the East India Company should be acquainted with it, that they might hinder their Ships from touching at the Cape. Yet they were extreamly kind, in hopes to get what was remaining. They are most of them very poor: but such as could get a little Liquor to sell N n to +++--- 548 An. 1691 The Women of Santa Hellena. ---+++ to the Seamen at this time got what the Seamen could spare; for the Punch Houses were never empty. But had we all come directly hither, and not touched at the Cape, even the poorest people among them would have gotten something by entertaining sick men. For commonly the Seamen coming home, are troubled, more or less, with Scorbutick Distempers; and their only hopes are to get Refreshment and Health at this Island, and these hopes seldom or never fail them, if once they get footing here. For the Islands afford abundance of delicate Herbs, wherewith the sick are first bathed to supple their Joints, and then the Fruits and Herbs, and fresh food soon after cure them of their Scorbutick Humours. So that in a weeks time, men that have been carried ashore in Hammocks, and they who were wholly unable to go, have soon been able to leap and dance. Doubtless the serenity and wholesomeness of the Air contri- butes much to the carrying off of these Distem- pers; for here is constantly a fresh breeze. While we stayed here, many of the Seamen got Sweet- hearts. One young man belonging to the James and Mary, was married, and brought his Wife to England with him. Another brought his Sweet- heart to England, they being each engaged by Bonds to marry at their arrival in England; and several others of our Men were over Head and Ears in love with the Santa Hellena Maids, who, tho they were born there, yet very earnestly desired to be released from that Prison, which they have no other way to compass, but by marrying Seamen, or Passengers that touch here. The young Women born here, are but one remove from English, being the Daughters of such. They are well shaped, proper and comely, were they in a Dress to set them off. My +++--- 549 An. 1691 They depart from Santa Hellena. ---+++ My stay ashore here was but two days, to get Refreshments for my self and Jeoly, whom I car- ried ashore with me: and he was very diligent to pick up such things as the Island afforded, carry- ing ashore with him a Bag, which the people of the Isle filled with Roots for him. They flockt about him, and seemed to admire him much. This was the last place where I had him at my own disposal, for the Mate of the Ship, who had Mr. Moodie's share in him, left him entirely to my ma- nagement, I being to bring him to England. But I was no sooner arrived in the Thames, but he was sent ashore to be seen by some eminent persons; and I being in want of Money, was prevailed upon to sell first, part of my share in him, and by degrees all of it. After this I heard he was car- ried about to be shown as a Sight, and that he died of the Small-pox at Oxford. ---+++ But to proceed, our Water being fill'd, and the Ships all stocked with fresh Provision, we sailed from hence in Company of the Princess Ann, the James and Mary, and the Josiah, July the 2d, 1691, directing our course towards England, and design- ing to touch no where by the way. We were now in the way of the Trade Winds, which we commonly find at E. S. E. or S. E. by E. or S. E. till we draw near the Line, and sometimes till we are 8 or 10 degrees to the North of the Line. For which reason Ships might shape their course so; as to keep on the African Shore, and pass between Cape Verd, and Cape Verd Islands; for that seems to be the directest course to England. But expe- rience often shews us, that the farthest way about is the nearest way home, and so it is here. For by striving to keep near the African Shore, you meet with the Winds more uncertain, and subject to calms; whereas in keeping the mid way be- tween Africa and America, or rather nearer the Nn 2 American +++--- 550 An. 1691 Their Arrival in the Downs. ---+++ American Continent, till you are North of the Line, you have a brisk constant gale. ---+++ This was the way that we took, and in our paf- fage before we got to the Line, we saw three Ships, and making towards them, we found two of them to be Portuguefe, bound to Brazil: The third kept on a Wind, so that we could not speak with her; but we found by the Portuguefe it was an English Ship, called the Dorothy, Capt. Thwayt Commander, bound to the East Indies. After this we kept Company still with our 3 Consorts till we came near England, and then were separated by bad weather; but before we came within sight of Land, we got together again, all but the James and Mary. She got into the Channel be- fore us, and went to Plymouth, and there gave an account of the rest of us; whereupon our Men of War who lay there, came out to join us, and meeting us, brought us off of Plymouth. There our Confort the James and Mary came to us again, and from thence we all sailed in company of seve- ral Men of War towards Portsmouth. There our first Convoy left us, and went in thither. But we did not want Convoys, for our Fleets were then, re- pairing to their Winter Harbours, to be laid up; so that we had the company of several English Ships to the Downs, and a Squadron also of Dutch sailed up the Channel, but kept off farther from our English Coast, they being bound home to Holland. When we came as high as the South Foreland, we left them standing on their course, keeping on the back of the Goodwin Sands; and we lufft in for the Downs, where we anchored September the 16th, 1691.