de as
she passed, but without effect, the shot falling far short. The Ladrones
did not return a single shot, but waved their colors, and threw up
rockets, to induce them to come further in, which they might easily have
done, the outside junks lying in four fathoms water which I sounded
myself: though the Portuguese in their letters to Macao lamented there
was not sufficient water for them to engage closer, but that they would
certainly prevent their escaping before the mandarine fleet arrived!

On the 20th of November, early in the morning, I perceived an immense
fleet of mandarine vessels standing for the bay. On nearing us, they
formed a line, and stood close in; each vessel as she discharged her
guns tacked to join the rear and reload. They kept up a constant fire
for about two hours, when one of their largest vessels was blown up by a
firebrand thrown from a Ladrone junk; after which they kept at a more
respectful distance, but continued firing without intermission 'till the
21st at night, when it fell calm.

The Ladrones towed out seven large vessels, with about two hundred
rowboats to board them; but a breeze springing up, they made sail and
escaped. The Ladrones returned into the bay, and anchored. The
Portuguese and mandarines followed, and continued a heavy cannonading
during that night and the next day. The vessel I was in had her foremast
shot away, which they supplied very expeditiously by taking a mainmast
from a smaller vessel.

On the 23d, in the evening, it again fell calm; the Ladrones towed out
fifteen junks in two divisions, with the intention of surrounding them,
which was nearly effected, having come up with and boarded one, when a
breeze suddenly sprung up. The captured vessel mounted twenty-two guns.
Most of her crew leaped overboard; sixty or seventy were taken
immediately, cut to pieces and thrown into the river. Early in the
morning the Ladrones returned into the bay, and anchored in the same
situation as before. The Portuguese and mandarines followed, keeping up
a constant fire. The Ladrones never returned a single shot, but always
kept in readiness to board, and the Portuguese were careful never to
allow them an opportunity.

On the 28th, at night, they sent in eight fire-vessels, which if
properly constructed must have done great execution, having every
advantage they could wish for to effect their purpose; a strong breeze
and tide directly into the bay, and the vessels lying so close to