Page:Surprising adventures of John Roach.pdf/5

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I now once more re-entered into the coal-trade at Workington; but after remaining in the same about six months, I became entirely weary thereof, and determined again to visit some foreign parts. Being at that time in Cork, and not meeting there with a vessel to my satisfaction, I took an adventrous passage to Bristol, in a coasting brig, and arrived safe at the desired place on the 4th of July 1769. I now shipped myself on board the Jane of Bristol, Captain Clarke, for the slave trade, on the Coast of Guinea.  We soon reached the desired coast and there took in 500 slaves with whom we proceeded to Jamaica, where we arrived in December following.

Here I left her, and entered on board a sloop, commanded by Creole, named Peter Richardson to go to Ratan for turtles.  We accordingly sailed from Montego-bay in January 1770, and in five days arrived at the place of our destination; where in the face of a month we caught above ninety turtles; after which we sailed again for Jamaica.  But after being a few days at Sea, having little wind, and a very strong current, we were driven through the gulph of Florida, and obliged to cast anchor in the river Mississipi. Here we remained about five days; we then stood out to sea again, and in twelve days arrived safe in Montego-bay. After this I sailed to the bay of Honduras, for logwood and mahogany, in the brigantine Nancy, Captain Ferguson—We completed this voyage, and arrived again in Jamaica in March 1770.