he returned to the ship, thinking to have got an interpreter, but no one on board the squadron could understand his language.  The general commanded this man to have meat and drink, and set him on shore next day well dressed, that he might return satisfied to his countrymen.  Accordingly, the day following, this man came down to the shore abreast of the ships, with about fifteen more natives, and the general went ashore, carrying with him spices, gold, and pearls, to try if these people had any knowledge of these things.  But from the little estimation with which these articles were viewed, it was concluded that the natives had no knowledge of them.  The general distributed among the natives some small bells, tin rings, counters, and such toys, which they received joyfully; and from that time till next Saturday morning, great numbers of the natives resorted to the fleet, whence they went back to their towns.  One Fernan Veloso craved leave of the general to accompany the natives to their habitations, that he might see their manner of living.  On going along with them, the natives took a sea wolf which they roasted at the foot of a hill for their supper, after which they made Veloso return to the fleet, and it appeared to him that the natives had armed themselves, meaning to attack our people.  On his return, Veloso saw that he was secretly followed, wherefore he hastened to the shore and hailed the ships.  On this, the general who was then at supper, looked out towards the land, where he saw numbers of the savages following Veloso.  He therefore gave orders for all the ships to be in readiness against an attack, and went himself on shore with several others unarmed, not dreading any harm.  On seeing our boats coming towards the shore, the savages began to run away with much clamour; but when our people landed, they returned and set upon them furiously, throwing their darts, and using other weapons, which constrained our people to take to their boats in all haste, taking Veloso along with them; yet in this scuffle the general and three others were wounded.  The Negroes returned to their towns; and during four days after, while our ships remained in the bay, they never saw any more of the natives, so that they had no opportunity to revenge the injury they had done.

“Some commerce took place between the Portuguese and the Hottentot natives around St Elena Bay, by means of signs and gestures; when the fleet received plenty of excellent fresh provisions, in exchange for clothes, hawks bells, glass beads, and other toys; but this friendly intercourse was interrupted through the imprudence of a Portuguese young man named Veloso.  Delighted with the novelty of the scene, and anxious to see the manners of the natives more intimately, he obtained permission to accompany them to their huts, where a sea calf was dressed in the Hottentot fashion, to his great astonishment.  Disgusted at their loathsome cookery, he rose abruptly, and was impatient to depart, and was accompanied by the