VOYAGE TO THE SOUTH SEAS.
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to the Southward and reach the Galipagoe Iſles where we might refit for England; unleſs we ſhould fall in with ſome European Veſſel that would ſupply us with the neceſſaries which we ſo much wanted; or from being made acquainted with the ſtate of Europe, might venture into ſome Spaniſh port.
In our paſſage to the Coaſt, which we made in Latitude 19° 28′, we paſſed great quantities of herring, turtle, porpoiſes, black-fiſh, devil-fiſh, and fin-back whale, but the number of birds appeared to be greatly diminiſhed ſince we left the coaſt: for at that time there were innumerable flocks of boobies, which were ſo tame, as not only to perch on the different parts of the ſhip, but even on our boats, and the oars while they were actually employed in rowing. When the appearance of the weather foretold a ſquall, or on the approach of night, the turtle generally afforded a place of reſt for one of theſe birds on his back; and though this curious perch was uſually an object of conteſt, the turtle appears to be perfectly at eaſe and unmoved on the occaſion. The victorious bird generally eaſed the turtle of the ſucking fiſh and maggots that adhere to and troubled him. We now ſaw dolphins and porpoiſes in abundance, and took many of the latter, which we mixed with ſalt pork, and made excellent