However I was the more diligent myself to have the ship
scrubbed, and to send my water casks ashore to get them trimmed, my beer
being now out. I went also to the governor to get my water filled; for
here being but one watering-place (and the water running low, now at the
end of the dry season) it was always so crowded with the European ships'
boats, who were preparing to be gone, that my men could seldom come nigh
it till the governor very kindly sent an officer to clear the
watering-place for my men, and to stay there till my water-casks were all
full, whom I satisfied for his pains. Here I also got aboard 9 or 10 ton
of ballast, and made my boatswain fit the rigging that was amiss: and I
enquired also of my particular officers, whose business it was, whether
they wanted any stores, especially pitch and tar; for that here I would
supply myself before I proceeded any farther; but they said they had
enough, though it did not afterwards prove so.
I commonly went ashore every day, either upon business, or to recreate
myself in the fields, which were very pleasant, and the more for a shower
of rain now and then, that ushers in the wet season.
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