During all this while, the seamen and our gentlemen got much profit
and sport from hunting and fishing, adding in no small degree to
our store of food. Had Captain Smith not been kept from going on
shore by the wickedness of those who were jealous because of his
great fame as a soldier, I dare venture to say our stay at this
island of Nevis would have been far more to our advantage.
From this place we went to what Master Hunt told me were the Virgin
islands, and here the men went ashore again to hunt; but my master,
speaking no harsh words against those who were wronging him, lay
in the small, stinging hot room, unable to get for himself even
a cup of water, though I took good care he should not suffer from
lack of kindly care.
Then on a certain day we sailed past that land which Captain Gosnold
told me was Porto Rico, and next morning came to anchor off the
island of Mona, where the seamen were sent ashore to get fresh
water, for our supply was running low.
Captain Newport, and many of the other gentlemen, went on shore
to hunt, and so great was the heat that Master Edward Brookes fell
down dead, one of the sailors telling Nathaniel that the poor man's
fat was melted until he could no longer live; but Captain Smith,
who knows more concerning such matters than all this company rolled
into one, save I might except Master Hunt, declared that the fat
of a live person does not melt, however great the heat.
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