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wherein blunderbuſſes are fixed, and ſometimes a cannon, it is found convenient for quelling inſurrections. Another door is made in the lattice, at the ladder, by which you enter the ſhip. This door is guarded by a centinel during the day, and is locked at night. At the head of the ſhip there is a third door, for the uſe of the ſailors, which is ſecured in the ſame manner as that at the gangway. There is alſo in the roof a large trap-door, through which the goods intended for barter, the water casks, &c. are hoiſted out or in.
The design of this houſe is to ſecure thoſe on board from the heat of the ſun, the wind and rain; it anſwers theſe purpoſes however but very ineffectually. The slight texture of the mats admits both the wind and the rain, whenever it happens to be violent, though at the ſame time, it increases the heat of the ſhip to a very pernicious degree; eſpecially between decks. The increaſed warmth occasioned by this means, together with the ſmoke produced from the green mangrove (the uſual firewood), which, for want of a current of air to carry it off, collects itself in large quantities, and infeſts every part of the ship, render a vessel during its ſtay here very unhealthy. The ſmoke also, by its acrimonious quality, often produces inflammations in the eyes, which terminates ſometimes in the loſs of ſight.
