Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/87

 Rh

of these used to do abundance of mischief to the Peoples Cattle in the Neighbourhood of this Bay, having his regular courses to look for Prey. One of the Inhabitants there, as I was told, tied a long Cord to his Bedstead, and to the other end of the Cord fastened a piece of Wood and a Dog, so that the Allegator swallowing the Dog and piece of Wood, the latter came cross his Throat, as it was design'd, and after pulling the Bedstead to the Window, and awaking the Person in Bed, he was caught. Allegators love Dogs extreamly, but prey also on Cattle. This Allegator was nineteen feet long.

There are also Sharks to be found in the Sea hereabouts. A Man bathing in the Sea by Port-Royal had part of the Flesh of his Arm and Breast at one mouthful torn off by a Shark, of which he immediately died. I was told that one Rockey a Privateer used to go and fight with them in the Water, and so do some Divers, killing them with Bodkins run into their Bellies, while they turn themselves to Prey.

I saw in this Harbour and Bay a Ship come from Guinea, loaded with Blacks to sell. The Ship was very nasty with so many People on Board. I was assured that the Negroes feed on Pindals, or Indian Earth-Nuts, a sort of Pea or Bean producing its Pods under ground. Coming from Guinea hither, they are fed on these Nuts, or Indian-Corn boil'd whole twice a day, at eight a Clock, and four in the Afternoon, each having a Pint of Water allow'd him. The Negroes from Angola and Gamba, are not troubled with Worms, but those from the Gold Coast very much.

I was inform'd here that Ewes bring forth twice in fifteen months, without any regard to the time of the year; but Cows bring forth their young according to the Seasons of Europe.

I saw some Guinea-Sheep, they were brought by a Ship from that Country, being provided by the Commander to eat at Sea, but when the Ship arrived they were presented to a Planter in Liguanee. They are like Goats in every respect, having for the most part black and white short Hair, like that of a six weeks or a month old Calf. They are much less than Goats, multiply very fast, and are very sweet Meat.

At some Plantations bordering on this Bay many Whites die, as believed by the ill Air; some of them lying in bottoms, bordering on Marshes near the Sea. On the other hand, Plantations that are feared high are very healthy, and the People are not sickly. Colonel Barry's House all galleried round, was formerly, when the Spaniards possess'd the Island, the only place in Liguanee inhabited. A very rich Widow had here a Sugar-work, and abundance of Cattle in the Savanna's, near forty thousand.