indulge a Time, and become ready for new Expeditions before any Intelligence can reach to hurt them.
It may here perhaps be no unneceſſary Digreſſion, to explain upon what they call Keys in the Weſt-Indies: Theſe are ſmall ſandy Iſlands, appearing a little above the Surf of the Water, with only a few Buſhes or Weeds upon them, but abound (thoſe moſt at any Diſtance from the Main) with Turtle, amphibious Animals, that always chuſe the quieteſt and moſt unfrequented Place, for laying their Eggs, which are to a vaſt Number in the Seaſons, and would ſeldom be ſeen, but for this, (except by Pyrateſ:) Then Veſſels from Jamaica and the other Governments make Voyages, called Turtling, for ſupplying the People, a common and approved Food with them. I am apt to think theſe Keys, eſpecially thoſe nigh Iſlands, to have been once contiguous with them, and ſeparated by Earthquakes (frequently there) or Inundations, becauſe ſome of them that have been within continual View, as thoſe nigh Jamaica, are obſerved within our Time, to be entirely waſted away and loſt, and others daily waſting. There are not only of the Uſe above taken Notice of to Pyrates; but it is commonly believed were always in buccaneering pyratical Times, the hiding Places for their Riches, and often Times a Shelter for themſelves, till their Friends on the Main, had found Means to obtain Indemnity for their Crimes; for you muſt underſtand, when Acts of Grace were more frequent, and the Laws leſs ſevere, theſe Men continually found Favours and Incouragers at Jamaica, and perhaps they are not all dead yet; I have been told many of them them ſtill living have been of the ſame Trade, and left it off only becauſe they can live as well honeſtly, and gain now at the hazard of others Necks.
