VOYAGE TO THE


Indians and myself went on shore
with our guns in search of game: but the
discovery of some human tracks on the
sand caused my companions immediately
to decline the pursuit. The island of
Ruatan, asit has been previously remark-
ed, belongs to Spain, and on it is re-
tained a small military station. This cir-
cumxstance instantly occasioned the Mos-
quito-men to determine, that the tracks
they had seen could be no other than those
of the Spaniards; and as quickly urged
them to return on board.
 Wednesday, 6th.-The morning prov-
ing fine and pleasant, and our damage
being repaired, we lost no time in getting
under weigh. The course we pursued
lay close in with the shore; with any
other but a vessel of small burthen this
would have been impracticable from the
numerous coral-rocks in the passage.
The side of the island of Ruatan we passed
appeared hilly and covered with wood.