appointed to make enquiry into the whole affair were three commanders of ships, persons of distinguish’d merit and honour.  However, it was afterwards thought proper not to admit us to any examination, till the arrival of the commodore, or else Captain Cheap.  And it was also resolv’d, that not a person of us should receive any wages, or be employed in his majesty’s service, till every thing relating to the Wager was more plain and conspicuous.  There was no favour shewn in this case to one more than another, so that every body seem’d easy with their l——­ps’ resolution.  All that we have to wish for now is the safe arrival of the commodore and Captain Cheap:  We are in expectation of soon seeing the former, but of the captain we have as yet no account.  However, we hope, when the commodore shall arrive, that the character he will give of us will be of service to us:  He was very well acquainted with the behaviour of every officer in his squadron, and will certainly give an account of them accordingly.

[119] In reprinting this very curious and scarce Narrative, we have thought
    it proper to adhere to the orthography and contractions of the
    original throughout.  The former are little different from the present
    standard, and the latter cannot give any trouble to the reader. 
    Altogether, this is a composition not without merit sufficient to
    warrant its being preserved.—­E.

END OF VOLUME SEVENTEENTH.