22

bay towered a huge rock out of the water like
a monach of all he surveyed. He was truly
the monach of that harbour with a vengence as
their was neither a signal nor a lighthouse
to guide ships in at night. We dropped anchor
outside the other craft lying there
and soon a fleet of boats were on their
way towards our vessel among the
first were the Portugese officials and the
Co's agent each had a boat of their own
rowed by 4 or 6 black fellows & fine rowers
they were. The other boats were crowding round
the gang-way. It was amusing to see some
of them good sized lads naked as they
were born shouting out for pieces of coin
to be thrown overboard they would
then dive after it like a duck and sure
enough would come up with it holding
it for view between his finger & thumb
and then put it into his pocket (Mouths