On the 1st of May 1722, we left Cape Corso, (for my own part, I hope till Doom’s-Day) and on the third, came down to Whydah. Here we took a Sailor out of a Portuguese Ship, that had been a Confederate in seizing Captain Rowry’s Vessel, as mentioned before at St. Thomas’s; he, on the Reflection of his Crime, and a Fear of worse Evil, cut his Throat, and died. About this time I was appointed Purser to the Weymouth, (a Bursier, the Officer in Colleges, that takes care of their Accounts) every body being dead almost, that could do it: and with Reluctancy in me, because not skill’d in the Employ, and neither Cooper, Steward, or Necessaries on board; but the Indulgence I expected on these accounts from a worthy Commander, and some little Advantage in quitting the Surgeon’s Employ, were Persuasives.
From Whydah, both Men-of-War steered away for Cape Lopez, to wood and water, in order for the West-Indies.
Cape LOPEZ.
Cape Lopez makes a safe and pleasant Bay, our anchoring in 20 Fathom Water, the Cape N W B N, the Watering-place S B E, each a mile and half distance.
Coming in, we bring the Cape S. S. W. to avoid what most Charts lay down, the Shoal called Frenchman’s Bank, about a League and half N. N. E. from the Cape; and some say there are other Shoals between that and the Main to the Northward.
The Cape is low and steep, yet looks bluff with Trees, has some Savannahs behind, the resort of Buffaloes; I have seen a dozen head at a time here, which, when you are minded to hunt or shoot, the Negroes are ready to assist. The Bay is well stored with Fish, and the Country affords Plantains, Goats, Fowls, and particularly grey Parrots, all cheap; but their principal trading Commodities are Wax in Cakes, and Honey, exchanged with us on easy terms, for Linnen, Calicos, Stuffs, Pewter Spoons, Knives, &c. and it is the Seal of all Bargains, to take hold of one another’s Hands and say, Palaaver suquebah.
Pou, or Wood, is after the rate of a Fathom, for an old Guinea Sheet; their Water free, and easy come at, but is a standing Pool, and not so well-tasted therefore as Springs.
The Natives are harmless and inoffensive, never sell one another. But when Ships come in, flock towards the Bay with Wax, Honey, a few Teeth, and little Gold; which last, I rather believe, is brought thither, because not one of them seemed to know the Value of it. They are timorous, and therefore have their Habitations at a distance from the Sea, few of them venturing on board a Ship; feared, I suppose, by the Tricks have formerly been put upon them by our Traders: so that we barter altogether on shore, where they attend for that purpose.
Their familiar Salute at meeting, is by clapping their hands two or three times, to one another. To a Superior, (the Cabiceer, or the Aged) they bend the Knee, raising first their Hands to the out-parts of their Shoulders or Arms, then patting the other’s Hands gently three times, they cry Chamba at each time, and retreat with three times clapping their own hands:—to profess an extraordinary Friendship to you, they raise your Hand as high as they can reach.