We fell with
this island the 27th of January, but the inhabitants would in no case
traffic with us, being thereof forbidden by the king's edict. Yet the
next day our General sent to view the island, and the likelihoods that
might be there of the provision of victuals, about threescore and
two men under the conduct and government of Master Winter and Master
Doughty. And marching towards the chief place of habitation in this
island (as by the Portugal we were informed), having travelled to the
mountains the space of three miles, and arriving there somewhat before
the daybreak, we arrested ourselves, to see day before us. Which
appearing, we found the inhabitants to be fled; but the place, by reason
that it was manured, we found to be more fruitful than the other part,
especially the valleys among the hills.
Here we gave ourselves a little refreshing, as by very ripe and sweet
grapes, which the fruitfulness of the earth at that season of winter,
it may seems strange that those fruits were then there growing. But the
reason thereof is this, because they being between the tropic and the
equinoctial, the sun passeth twice in the year through their zenith over
their heads, by means whereof they have two summers; and being so near
the heat of the line they never lose the heat of the sun so much, but
the fruits have their increase and continuance in the midst of winter.
The island is wonderfully stored with goats and wild hens; and it hath
salt also, without labour, save only that the people gather it into
heaps; which continually in greater quantity is increased upon the sands
by the flowing of the sea, and the receiving heat of the sun kerning the
same.
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