[Footnote 281:  According to Jones, he personally slew the Moorish pilot in this affray.  One of the persons wounded on this occasion was the chaplain, but his name is not mentioned.  Great lamentation was made by the Moors on the coast of Africa for their loss in this affair, as Jones was told afterwards by the Portuguese, as some of them, probably those mentioned as white rogues by Coverte, were of the blood royal.—­E.]

The 19th of January, 1609, we espied many islands, which the Portuguese call Almirante,[282] being nine in number, and all without inhabitants, as the Portuguese affirm.  Next morning we sent our pinnace to one of them in search of fresh water, which could not be found, but our people saw many land tortoises, and brought six on board.  We then went to another of these islands, where we came to anchor in twelve or thirteen fathoms in a tolerably good birth, and here we refreshed ourselves with water, cocoa-nuts, fish, palmitos, and turtle-doves,[283] which last were in great plenty.  The 1st of February we set sail with a fair wind, and passed the line on the 19th, having previously on the 15th come within ken of the land on the coast of Melinda.  We came to anchor next day on the coast of the continent, in 12 fathoms, about two leagues from shore, and sent our pinnace to seek refreshments; but they were unable to land, and the natives could not be induced to adventure within hearing, wherefore our ship departed in the afternoon.  About this time, William Acton, one of the ship boys, confessed being guilty of a foul and detestable crime;[284] and being tried and found guilty by a jury, was condemned and executed on the morning of the 3rd March.

[Footnote 282:  Called by Jones the Desolate Islands, because not inhabited.—­E.]

[Footnote 283:  Jones says these turtle-doves were so tame that one man might have taken twenty dozen in a day with his hands.—­E.]

[Footnote 284:  In the last paragraph but one of his book, Mr Coverte explains the nature of this crime:  “Philip de Grove, our master, was a Fleming, and an arch villain, for this boy confessed to myself that he was a detestable sodomite.  Hence, had not the mercy of God been great, it was a wonder our ship did not sink in the ocean.”—­For any thing that appears, the boy was put to death to save the master.—­Astl.  I. 342. c.

In Jones’s Narrative no notice is taken of this crime and punishment.—­E.]

The 21st betimes, we espied an island in lat. 12 deg. 17’ N. with four rocks or hills about three leagues from it.  We had beaten up a whole day and night to get to this island; but finding it barren and unpeopled, we passed on, and got sight of three other islands that same day about sun-set, in lat. 12 deg. 29’ N. Two were about a league asunder, and we found the third to be Socotora, which is in lat. 12 deg. 24’ N. We arrived here the 29th March, and came to anchor next day in a fine bay.  As the islanders lighted a fire on seeing us, we sent the skiff on shore, but the people fled in all haste, having possibly been injured by some who had passed that way.  Finding no prospect of any relief here, our men returned on board, when we again made sail to find the chief harbour.