about noon
The flaws came heavy off the shore , and we were forced to reef our topsails when we opened the middle bay , where we expected to have found our enemy ; but saw all clear , & no ships , nor in the other bay next the north-east end . These two bays are all that ships ride in , which recruit on this island ; but the middle bay is by much the best . We guessed there had been ships there , but that they were gone on sight of us . We sent our yawl ashore about noon , with Captain Dover , Mr. Fry , and six men , all armed : Mean while we and the Duchess kept turning to get in , and such heavy flaws came off the land , that we were forced to let go our top sail sheet , keeping all hands to stand by our sails , for fear of the winds carrying them away : But when the flaws were gone , we had little or no wind . These flaws proceeded from the land ; which is very high in the middle of the island . Our boat did not return ; we sent our pinnace with the men armed , to see what was the occasion of the yawl 's stay ; for we were afraid , that the Spaniards had a garrison there , and might have seized them . We put out a signal for our boat , and the Duchess showed a French ensign .