VOYAGE OF ANDRIES BATTEL

calm. Here most of our People became sick, with the "blue-sickness" an old term, likely referring to dysentery or a similar debilitating illness, so that we kept few healthy. Having arrived about 3 or 4 degrees from the Equinoctial line, where day and night are of equal length,

Cape de las Palmas.

we called at Cape de las Palmas, where we obtained some refreshment, through which our sick recovered again.

Where there was treacherous Folk.

The Inhabitants of that Place made much of us, and said they wanted to trade with us, but in truth sought to overtake us, as being of a wicked treacherous nature, and aimed at taking our Boat, and wounding our Boat's crew.

S. Thomas.

From this Cape we steered South-West, but the current and the calm deceived us, so that we drifted to below the Island of S. Thomas, instead of being further seaward, as we had been. We began to lack wood and water, wherefore we turned to the South-side between S. Thomas and the Islands

Islands das Rolas.

das Rolas, where we found a suitable Roadstead, and sent our Boat to Land, with the intent to fetch water, but that was not to be found, yet there was plenty of Plantains and Oranges.

A fertile Spot,

We found here a Spot with Negroes, who had been sent there from S. Thomas, since the Portuguese have the custom of bringing their weak or sick Slaves thither, to regain their health and strength there, as these Islands are very fertile,

That is burned.

and although they have no fresh water, yet that is compensated by the Wine from the Palm Trees. After we had refreshed ourselves with the fruits of this Island, we set the Village on fire.

The Castle of S. Thomas well provided with cannon.

We ran from there to the East-side of S. Thomas, and came in sight of the City, but since they fired at us from the Castle, which was well provided with cannon, we dared not approach the same. From here, we kept past the mainland,