over the other hills; but their height made it seem the less
considerable; for it looks most remarkable to ships that are to the
westward of it. We had brisk north-north-east and north-east winds from
Tenerife, and saw flying-fish, and a great deal of sea-thistle weed
floating. By the 9th of February at noon we were in the latitude of 15
degrees 4 minutes so we steered away west-north-west for the island of
Mayo, being by judgment not far to the east of it, and at 8 o'clock in
the evening lay by till day. The wind was then at west by south, and so
it continued all night, fair weather, and a small easy gale. All these
were great signs, that we were near some land, after having had such
constant brisk winds before. In the morning after sunrise we saw the
island at about 4 leagues distance. But it was so hazy over it that we
could see but a small part of it; yet even by that part I knew it to be
the isle of Mayo. See how it appeared to us at several views as we were
compassing the east and south-east and south of it, to get to the road,
on the south-west of it, and the road itself.

THE AUTHOR'S ARRIVAL AT MAYO.

I got not in till the next day, February 11, when I come to an anchor in
the road, which is the leeward part of the island; for it is a general
rule never to anchor to windward of an island between the tropics. We
anchored at 11 o'clock in 14 fathom clean sand, and very smooth water,
about three-quarters of a mile from the shore, in the same place where I
anchored in my voyage round the world; and found riding here the Newport
of London, a merchantman, Captain Barefoot commander, who welcomed me
with 3 guns and I returned one for thanks. He came from Fayal, one of the
western islands; and had store of wine and brandy aboard. He was taking
in salt to carry to Newfoundland, and was very glad to see one of the
King's ships, being before our coming afraid of pirates, which of late