they resolved to
stand away for the Madeiras, which they knew were not far off; so they
accordingly made the island in two days more, and keeping a large
offing, they cruised for three or four days more, expecting to meet with
some Portuguese vessel going in or coming out. But it was in vain, for
nothing stirred. So, tired with waiting, they stood in for the road, and
came to anchor, though at a great distance. Then they sent their boat
towards the shore with seven men, all well armed, to see whether it
might not be practicable to board one of the ships in the road, and
cutting her away from her anchors, bring her off; or if they found that
could not be done, then their orders were to intercept some of the
boats belonging to the place, which carry wines on board the ships in
the road, or from one place to another on the coast. But they came back
again disappointed in both, everybody being alarmed and aware of them,
knowing by their posture what they were.

Having thus spent several days to no purpose, and finding themselves
discovered, at last (being apparently under a necessity to make an
attempt somewhere) they stood away for Porto Santo,[102] about ten
leagues to the windward of Madeiras, and belonging also to the
Portuguese. Here putting up British colours, they sent their boat ashore
with Captain Somerville's bill of health, and a present to the governor
of three barrels of salmon, and six barrels of herrings, and a very
civil message, desiring leave to water, and to buy some refreshments,
pretending to be bound to ----.

The Governor very courteously granted their desire, but with more
courtesy than discretion went off himself, with about nine or ten of his
principal people, to pay the English captain a visit, little thinking
what kind of a captain it was they were going to compliment, and what
price it might have cost them. However, Gow, handsomely dressed,
received then with some ceremony, and entertained them tolerably well
for a while. But the Governor having been kept as long by civility as
they could, and the refreshments from the shore not appearing, he was
forced to unmask; and when the Governor and his company rose up to take
their leave, to their great surprise they were suddenly surrounded with
a gang of fellows with muskets, and an officer at the head of them.
These told them, in so many words, they were the captain's prisoners,
and must not think of going on shore any more until the water and
provis