and a mutual connection of interests between that port
and Manilla, he had reason to fear, that if his designs
were discovered, intelligence would be immediately
sent to Manilla, and measures taken to prevent the
galleons from falling into his hands: But being
now at sea, and entirely clear of the coast, he summoned
all his people on the quarter-deck, and informed them
of his resolution to cruise for the two Manilla ships,
of whose wealth they were not ignorant. He told
them he should chuse a station, where he could not
fail of meeting with them; and though they were stout
ships, and full manned, yet, if his own people behaved
with their accustomed spirit, he was certain he should
prove too hard for them both, and that one of them
at least could not fail of becoming his prize:
He further added, that many ridiculous tales had been
propagated about the strength of the sides of these
ships, and their being impenetrable to cannon-shot;
that these fictions had been principally invented
to palliate the cowardice of those who had formerly
engaged them; but he hoped there were none of those
present weak enough to give credit to so absurd a story:
For his own part, he did assure them upon his word,
that, whenever he met with them, he would fight them
so near, that they should find, his bullets, instead
of being stopped by one of their sides, should go
through them both.
This speech of the commodore’s was received
by his people with great joy: For no sooner had
he ended, than they expressed their approbation, according
to naval custom, by three strenuous cheers, and all
declared their determination to succeed or perish,
whenever the opportunity presented itself. And
now their hopes, which, since their departure from
the coast of Mexico, had entirely subsided, were again
revived; and they all persuaded themselves, that, notwithstanding
the various casualties and disappointments they had
hitherto met with, they should yet be repaid the price
of their fatigues, and should at last return home
enriched with the spoils of the enemy: For, firmly
relying on the assurances of the commodore, that they
should certainly meet with the vessels, they were
all of them too sanguine to doubt a moment of mastering
them; so that they considered themselves as having
them already in their possession. And this confidence
was so universally spread through the whole ship’s
company, that, the commodore having taken some Chinese
sheep to sea with him for his own provision, and one
day enquiring of his butcher, why, for some time past,
he had seen no mutton at his table, asking him if all
the sheep were killed, the butcher very seriously
replied, that there were indeed two sheep left, but
that, if his honour would give him leave, he proposed
to keep those for the entertainment of the general
of the galleons.
Print
Word
PDF
