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Employments of the Natives.

Salting Season, which is his Harvest; and indeed, all the Islanders are then fully employed in getting somewhat; for they have no Vessels of their own to Trade with, nor do any Portuguese-Vessels come hither: scarce any but English, on whom they depend for Trade; and tho' Subjects of Portugal, have a particular Value for us. We don't pay them for their Salt, but for the Labour of themselves and their Beasts in lading it: for which we give them Victuals, some Mony, and old Cloaths, viz. Hats, Shirts, and other Cloaths: by which means many of them are indifferently well rigg'd; but some of them go almost Naked. When the Turtle-season comes in they watch the Sandy-bays in the Night, to turn them; and having small Huts at particular Places on the Bays to keep them from the Rain, and to sleep in: And this is another Harvest they have for Food; for by Report there come a great many Turtle to this and the rest of the Cape Verd Islands. When the Turtle Season is over they have little to do but to hunt for Guinea-Hens, and manage their small Plantations. But by these means they have all the Year some Employment or other; whereby they get a Subsistence, tho' but little else. When any of them are desirous to go over to St. Jago they get a Licence from the Governor, and desire passage in