INTRODUCTION.



In the Year 1700, when People flock'd from all Parts of the Christian World,
to see the Solemnity of the Grand Jubilee at Rome, my Intention,
at that Time, being to travel, I accidentally met with a Gentleman,
who had been Abroad, and was very well acquainted with the Ways of Living
in both Indies; of whom, having made Enquiry concerning them,
he assur'd me, that Carolina was the best Country I could go to;
and, that there then lay a Ship in the Thames, in which I might have
my Passage. I laid hold on this Opportunity, and was not long on Board,
before we fell down the River, and sail'd to Cowes; where, having taken in
some Passengers, we proceeded on our Voyage 'till we sprung a-leak,
and were forc'd into the Islands of Scilly. Here we spent about 10 Days
in refitting; in which Time we had a great deal of Diversion
in Fishing and Shooting on those rocky Islands. The Inhabitants
were very courteous and civil, especially the Governor,
to whose good Company and Favour, we were very much oblig'd.
There is a Town on one of these Islands, where is good Entertainment
for those that happen to come in, though the Land is but mean,
and Flesh-meat not Plenty. They have good Store of Rabbits, Quails, and Fish;
and you see at the poor Peoples Doors great Heaps of Perriwinkle-shells,
those Fish being a great Part of their Food. On the 1st Day of May,
having a fair Wind at East, we put to Sea, and were on the Ocean
(without speaking to any Vessel, except a Ketch bound from New England
to Barbadoes, laden with Horses, Fish, and Provisions)
'till the latter End of July, when the Winds hung so much Southerly,
that we could not get to our Port, but put into Sandyhook-bay, and went up