upon, for we were now upon the wrong side of the island for the voyage we
intended; so we stood away to the north, and, having rounded the cape, we
hauled away southward, under the lee of the island, thinking to reach the
west point of land, which, as I observed before, runs out so far towards
the coast of Africa, as would have shortened our run almost 100 leagues.
But when we had sailed about thirty leagues, we found the winds variable
under the shore, and right against us, so we concluded to stand over
directly, for then we had the wind fair, and our vessel was but very ill
fated to lie near the wind, or any way indeed but just before it.

Having resolved upon it, therefore, we put into the shore to furnish
ourselves again with fresh water and other provisions, and about the latter
end of March, with more courage than discretion, more resolution than
judgment, we launched for the main coast of Africa.

As for me, I had no anxieties about it, so that we had but a view of
reaching some land or other, I cared not what or where it was to be, having
at this time no views of what was before me, nor much thought of what might
or might not befall me; but with as little consideration as any one can be
supposed to have at my age, I consented to everything that was proposed,
however hazardous the thing itself, however improbable the success.

The voyage, as it was undertaken with a great deal of ignorance and
desperation, so really it was not carried on with much resolution or
judgment; for we knew no more of the course we were to steer than this,
that it was anywhere about the west, within two or three points N. or S.,
and as we had no compass with us but a little brass pocket compass, which
one of our men had more by accident than otherwise, so we could not be very
exact in our course.