Page:A voyage to New Holland - Dampier.djvu/85

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Arrival at Brazil
47


On the 23rd of March we saw the Land of Brazil; having had thither, from the time when we came into the True Trade-Wind again after crossing the Line, very fair Weather and brisk Gales, mostly at E. N. E. The Land we saw was about 20 Leagues to the North of Bahia; so I coasted along Shore to the Southward. This Coast is rather low than high, with Sandy-Bays all along by the Sea.

A little within Land are many very white Spots of Sand, appearing like Snow; and the Coast looks very pleasant, being checker'd with Woods and Savanahs. The Trees in general are not tall; but they are green and flourishing. There are many small Houses by the Sea-side, whose Inhabitants are chiefly Fishermen. They come off to Sea on Barklogs, made of several Logs fasten'd side to side, that have one or two Masts with Sails to them. There are two Men in each Barklog, one at either end, having small low Benches, raised a little above the Logs, to sit and fish on, and two Baskets hanging up at the Mast or Masts; one to put their Provisions in, the other for their fish. Many of these were a Fishing now, and two of them came aboard, of whom I bought some Fish. In the Afternoon we sailed by one very remarkable piece of Land, where, on a small pleasant Hill, there was a