Page 52
An.1682
Isles of Little Aves, and Roca's.
Dutch Sloop turning to get into the Road, and saw her in the evening anchor at the West end of the Island. This gave him some hope of making his escape; which he did, by fending two Canoas in the night aboard the Sloop, who took her, and got considerable purchase in her; and he went away in her, making a good Reprizal, and leaving his own empty Ship to the Dutch Man of War.
There is another Island to the Eastward of the Isle of Aves about 4 leagues, called by Privateers the little Isle of Aves, which is overgrown with Mangrove- trees. I have seen it, but was never on it. There are no Inhabitants that I could learn, on either of these Islands, but Boobies, and a few other Birds.
While we were at the Isle of Aves, we careen'd Captain Wrights Bark, and scrubb'd the Sugar-prize; and got 2 Guns out of the Wrecks: continuing here till the beginning of Feb. 168½.
We went from hence to the Isles Roca's, to careen the Sugar-prize, which the Isle of Aves was not a place so convenient for. Accordingly we haled close to one of the small Islands, and got our Guns ashore the first thing we did, and built a Breastwork on the point, and planted all our Guns there, to hin- der an Enemy from coming to us while we lay on the Careen: Then we made a House, and cover'd it with our Sails, to put our goods and provisions in. While we lay here, a French Man of War of 36 Guns, came thro the Keys, or Little Islands; to whom we sold about 10 Tun of Sugar. I was a- board twice or thrice, and very kindly welcomed both by the Captain and his Lieutenant, who was a Cavalier of Malta; and they both offer d me great encouragement in France, if I would go with them; but I ever design'd to continue with those of my own Nation.
The Islands Roca's are a parcel of small uninhabit- ed Islands, lying about the Lat. of 11 d. 40 min. about