present necessity called upon us for; and having victualled her, and put as
much fresh water on board as we thought we wanted, or as we knew how to
stow (for we were yet without casks), we put to sea with a fair wind.

We had spent near another year in these rambles, and in this piece of work;
for it was now, as our men said, about the beginning of our February, and
the sun went from us apace, which was much to our satisfaction, for the
heats were exceedingly violent. The wind, as I said, was fair; for, as I
have since learned, the winds generally spring up to the eastward, as the
sun goes from them to the north.

Our debate now was, which way we should go, and never were men so
irresolute; some were for going to the east, and stretching away directly
for the coast of Malabar; but others, who considered more seriously the
length of that voyage, shook their heads at the proposal, knowing very well
that neither our provisions, especially of water, or our vessel, were equal
to such a run as that is, of near 2000 miles without any land to touch at
in the way.

These men, too, had all along had a great mind to a voyage for the mainland
of Africa, where they said we should have a fair cast for our lives, and
might be sure to make ourselves rich, which way soever we went, if we were
but able to make our way through, whether by sea or by land.

Besides, as the case stood with us, we had not much choice for our way;
for, if we had resolved for the east, we were at the wrong season of the
year, and must have stayed till April or May before we had gone to sea. At
length, as we had the wind at S.E. and E.S.E., and fine promising weather,
we came all into the first proposal, and resolved for the coast of Africa;
nor were we long in disputing as to our coasting the island which we were