1768.
December. them., and clear the way to the fountain where they are te»
be filled. ^
Upon the whole, Rio de Janeiro is a very good place for
fhips to put in at that want refreihment: the harbour isfafe
and commodious; and provifions, except wheaten bread and
flour, may be eafily procured: as a fuccedaneum for bread,
there are yams and caffada in plenty; beef, both frefh and:
jerked, may be bought at about two pence farthing a pound;
though, as I have before remarked, it is very lean. Thé
people here jerk their beef by taking out the bones, cutting it
into large but thin flices, then curing it with fait, and drying
it m the Ihade: it eats very well, and, if kept dry, will re-
main good a long time at fea.. Mutton is fcarcely to be
procured, and hogs and poultry are dear;, of garden-fluff
and fruit there is abundance, of which, however, none can
be preferved at fea.but the pumpkin; rum, fugar, and mo-
laflès, all excellent in their kind, may be had at a reafonable
price; tobacco alfo is cheap, but it is not good. Here is a
yard for building flopping, and afmall hulk to heave down
b y ; for, as the tide never rifes above fix or feven feet, there
is no other way of coming at a fihip’s bottom.
When the boat which had been fent on fliore returned, we
hoifted her on board, and flood Out to fea.
CHAP .
■ MM