138
VOYAGE TO THE SOUTH SEAS.
The different navigators of theſe ſeas have given ſuch various accounts of the paſſage from hence to the Galipagoes, that it became a matter of ſome perplexity, to determine which route to be preferred. While we were cruizing between the South end of Quibo and Cape Mariatto, the winds were light and moſtly Southerly. They ſometimes blew a ſtrong gale through the night, but generally a ſtiff breeze from North by Eaſt, to North by Weſt: but in the day we had pleaſant weather. As I could depend on the ſailing of the Rattler, I determined on my route March 1.the firſt of March, and ſteered away to the Southward in a direct line for the iſles.
4.On the fourth day of the ſame month, being in Latitude 4° North, the winds varied between the South Eaſt and South Weſt points, and at intervals blew from the Weſtward; but when they returned to the Northward, they were very light and of ſhort duration. At this period an innumerable flight of birds accompanied us, and we had turtles in great plenty, but they ſoon grew ſcarce; though we continued to take bonnettas, dolphins, porpoiſes and black-fiſh in great abundance. The weather then changed to rain with thunder and lightning; and we every day remarked our