Page:Colnett - Voyage to the South Pacific (IA cihm 33242).djvu/62

 it is an excellent whaling ground; and the Isle itself very convenient for the purposes of refreshment. For although Mr. Wafer, on his return, found that the Spaniards had destroyed all the produce of the Island, of which they could possess themselves, to prevent its affording relief to the Buccaneers; so long a period has since elapsed, that it is no wild conjecture to suppose, it may now have regained its former plenty.

We kept the land of Chili in sight, from the mast-head or deck, until we reached the Latitude of 26° 20′; in which parallel, the Islands of Saint Felix and Saint Ambrose, were supposed to lie, but at the distance of one hundred and fifty leagues from the main. When I first fitted out, my intention was to visit the Isle Juan Fernandes, and Masa Fuero: but, before I left England, Europe was in such an unsettled state, as to induce me to consider a rupture between Great Britain and Spain, as no improbable event, when the cruizers, of the latter nation, would certainly be stationed off these islands: besides, I had every reason to believe, that, at the Saint Felix and Saint Ambrose Isles, I should find refreshments equal to, those which Masa Fuero is known to afford. Besides, having learned, at Rio Janeiro, that Lieutenant Moss, of the royal navy, whose nautical abilities are known and approved, had been lately sealing at Masa Fuero, and taken great pains to ascertain their situation, I conceived it unnecessary, for me to go there for that purpose only.