Monsieur _de la Sale_ being recover’d had several Conferences with these Gentlemen, relating to his Voyage. A Consult of Pilots was called to resolve where he should touch before we came upon the Coast of _America_, and it was resolved to steer directly for the Western Point of the Island of _Cuba_, or for _Cape_ St. _Antony_, distant about 300 Leagues from _Hispaniola_, there to expect the proper Season, and a fair Wind to enter the Gulph or Bay, which is but Two hundred Leagues over.
The next Care was to lay in Store of other Provisions, in the Room of those which were lost, and Monsieur _de la Sale_ was the more pressing for us to imbark, because most of his Men deserted, or were debauch’d by the Inhabitants of the Place; and the Vessel call’d _l’ Aimable_, being the worst Sailer of our little Squadron, it was resolv’d that should carry the Light, and the others to follow it. Monsieur _de la Sale_, Monsieur _Cavelier_ his Brother, the Fathers _Zenobius_[44] and _Anastasius_, both Recolets, Monsieur _Chedeville_ and I imbark’d on the said _Aimable_ and all sail’d the 25th of _November_.
We met with some Calms, and some violent Winds, which nevertheless carry’d us in Sight of the Island of _Cuba_, on the 30th of the same Month, and it then bore from us _N. W._ There we alter’d our Course and steer’d _W._ and by _N._ The 31st, the Weather being somewhat close, we lost Sight of that Island, then stood _W. N. W._ and the Sky clearing up, made an Observation at Noon, and found we were in 19 Degrees, 45 Minutes of North Latitude: by which we judg’d that the Currents had carry’d us off to Sea from the Island of _Cuba_.
On the first of _December_ we discovered the Island _Cayman_. The 2d we steer’d _N. W._ and by _W._ in order to come up with the Island of _Cuba_ in the Northern Latitude of 20 Degrees 32 Minutes. The 3d we discovered the little Island of _Pines_, lying close to _Cuba_. The 4th, we weather’d a Point of that Island, and the Wind growing scant, were forc’d to ply upon a Bowling, and make several Trips till the 5th at Night, when we anchor’d in a Creek, in 15 Fathom Water, and continued there till the 8th.
During that short Stay, Monsieur _de la Sale_ went Ashore with several Gentlemen of his Retinue on the Island of _Pines_, shot an Alligator dead, and returning Aboard, perceiv’d he had lost two of his Voluntiers, who had wander’d into the Woods, and perhaps lost their Way. We fired several Musquet Shots to call them, which they did not hear, and I was order’d to expect them ashore, with 30 Musquetiers to attend me. They return’d the next Morning with much Trouble.