bad weather, I deferred taking a ſurvey of the iſle till they were repaired.
Though we ſent the Butterſworth daily ſupplies of water, I did not foreſee the conſequence of our generoſity; for from that moment, the commander never gave himſelf the leaſt concern to look for any; but employed his crew in cutting a very large quantity of wood, and ſtocking himſelf with land tortoiſe privately, from a ſpot which we agreed ſhould remain ſacred, till we were ready for ſailing, and then ſhare our ſtock together. Indeed I not only ſupplied Mr. Sharp with water, but may be ſaid alſo to have added to his food; for he did not know that the tortoiſe was an wholeſome eatable till I informed him of it.
As I had at this time many reaſons to doubt his continuing long in company with me, and in caſe of ſeparation the Rattler had no boat belonging to her calculated to bring water any diſtance, it awakened my precaution to provide for any unforeſeen accident ſhould it befall us reſpecting that neceſſary article. I determined therefore, to ſupply him monthly throughout our voyage, and this information of this arrangement produced a better effect than I expected, as it ſtimulated him to ſearch for water, which he found within two miles of his ſhip.
