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 28 we were fortunate enough to find a good well of fresh water close to the beach.

The principal object of my visit at this moment was to complete our supplies of sugar and rum, which we had been informed by our naval friends were good and reasonable, and, moreover, the produce of a farm belonging to one of our countrymen, Mr. Bridge.

In this we were rightly informed, and the purser was immediately despatched to make the necessary purchases, as well as bullocks, and other necessaries.

Trusting to the accounts I had read of the magnificence of this port, I had fully intended placing the ship near the town. The visit of the captain of the port soon undeceived me. He assured me that at low water not more than three feet would be found near the town, and so narrow, that there was barely room for the oars of my gig, and then only by careful steerage. Indeed, I found that although the ship might be warped two miles higher up, she would there be entirely shut from any breeze, her yards probably locked in the trees, and swarming with mosquitoes. I deem these remarks particularly called for, as the accounts given in the Modern Traveller may otherwise mislead.

This port, if a settlement were established on the islands of Aserradores, Cardon, or Castanon, would probably be more frequented ; but the distance from the position where vessels usually anchor (within Cardon) to Realejo, is a sad drawback to vessels