They concluded now, that ’twas high Time to get into Harbour and refit, as well as to get Refreſhments themſelves, and wait an Opportunity to diſpoſe of their Cargo; therefore ’twas reſolved to make the beſt of their Way to Santa Crux, a ſmall Iſland in the Lattitude of 18, 30, N. ten Mile long, and two broad, lying South-Eaſt of Porto Rico, belonging to the French Settlements. Here they thought they might lye privately enough for ſome Time, and fit themſelves for further Miſchief. They met with a Sloop by the Way, which they took along with them, and in the Beginning of the Year 1716-17, they arrived at their Port, having a Ship of 20 Guns, a Sloop of eight, and three Prizes, viz. another Ship of 20 Guns, a Sloop of four Guns, and another Sloop laſt taken; with this little Fleet, they got into a ſmall Harbour, or Road, the N. W. Part of the Iſland, and warp’d up two Creeks, which were made by a little Iſland lying within the Bay; (I am the more particular now, becauſe I ſhall take Leave of the Gentlemen, at this Place.) They had here bare 16 Foot Water, at the deepeſt, and but 13 or 14, at the ſhalloweſt, and nothing but Rocks and Sands without, which ſecured them from Wind and Sea, and likewiſe from any conſiderable Force coming againſt them.
When they had all got in, the firſt Thing they had to do, was to Guard themſelves in the beſt Manner they could; they made a Battery of four Guns upon the Iſland, and another Battery of two Guns on the North Point of the Road, and warp’d in one of the Sloops with eight Guns, at the Mouth of the Channel, to hinder any Veſſels from coming in; when this was done they went to Work on their Ship, unrigging, and unloading, in order to Clean, where I ſhall leave them a while, till I bring other Company to ’em.
