About two in the Morning
The French ships that first came to trade in these seas were wont to come through the Straits of Magellan ; but Experience has taught 'em since , that this is the best Passage to go round the Horn , where they have Sea Room enow , without being crushed and crowded as at a Ranelagh Masquerade ; and the Straits are in many places very narrow , with strong Tides and no Anchor Ground . On the 31st of January , at seven in the Morning , we made the Island of Juan Fernandez , bearing W.S.W. , and about two in the Afternoon we hoisted our Pinnace out , and essayed to send one of our Lieutenants ashore , though we could not be less than four leagues off . As soon as it was Dark our men cried out that they saw a Light ashore ; our Boat was then about a mile from the Shore , and bore away for the Ship on our firing a Quarter-deck Gun , and several Muskets , showing Lanterns in our Mizen and Foreshrouds , that the Pinnace might find us again , whilst we plied to the lee of the Island . About two in the Morning she came aboard , all safe . Next day we sent our Yall ashore about noon with the Master and Six Men , all well Armed ; meanwhile we cleared all ready for Action on board the _ Marquis _ . Our Boat did not return , so we sent our Pinnace with the Crew , likewise Armed : for we were afraid that the Spaniards might have had a Garrison there , and so seized 'em . However , the Pinnace returned , and brought abundance of Crawfish , but found nothing human ; so that the alarm about the Light must have been a mere superstition of the Ship 's Company .