Called by Jones the Desolate Islands, because not
inhabited. - E.]
[Footnote 283: Jones says these turtle-doves were so tame that one man
might have taken twenty dozen in a day with his hands. - E.]
[Footnote 284: In the last paragraph but one of his book, Mr Coverte
explains the nature of this crime: "Philip de Grove, our master, was a
Fleming, and an arch villain, for this boy confessed to myself that he
was a detestable sodomite. Hence, had not the mercy of God been great,
it was a wonder our ship did not sink in the ocean." - For any thing that
appears, the boy was put to death to save the master. - Astl. I. 342. c.
In Jones's Narrative no notice is taken of this crime and
punishment. - E.]
The 21st betimes, we espied an island in lat. 12 deg. 17' N. with four rocks
or hills about three leagues from it. We had beaten up a whole day and
night to get to this island; but finding it barren and unpeopled, we
passed on, and got sight of three other islands that same day about
sun-set, in lat. 12 deg. 29' N. Two were about a league asunder, and we
found the third to be Socotora, which is in lat.
