Page 453
An.1687
Isle of Bouton. Fickle Weather.
The Mizen-mast felt the fury of this second blast, and was snapt short off, as the Fore-mast and Bolt- sprit had been before. The Main-mast, and Main- top-mast received no damage, for the fury of the Wind, (which was presently over) did not reach them. Three men were in the Fore-top when the Fore-mast broke, and one on the Boltsprit, and fell with them into the Sea, but all of them were saved. I had this relation from Mr. John Canby, who was then Quarter-master and Steward of her; one Abraham Wife, was chief Mate, and Leonard Jefferies second Mate.
We are usually very much afraid of them: yet this was the only damage that ever I heard done by them. They seem terrible enough; the rather because they come upon you while you lie becalm'd, like a Log in the Sea, and cannot get out of their way: but though I have seen, and been beset by them often, yet the fright was always the greatest of the harm.
December the 1st, we had a gentle gale at E. S. E. we steered South; and at noon I was by Observa- tion in lat. 3 d. 34 m. South. Then we saw the Island Bouton, bearing South West, and about 10 leagues distant. We had very uncertain and un- constant Winds: The Tornadoes came out of the S. W. which was against us; and what other Winds we had were so faint, that they did us little kindness; but we took the advantage of the smallest gale, and got a little way every day. The 4th day at noon I was by Observation in Lat: 4 d. 30 m. South.
The 5th day we got close by the N. W. end of the Island Bouton, and in the evening, it being fair weather, we hoised out our Canoa, and sent the Moskito men, of whom we had 2 or 3, to strike Turtle, for here are plenty of them: but they be- ing shy, we chose to strike them in the night (which is