other frigate, the "Zephyr," of thirty-six
guns. Captain Peter Masterman, her commander, presented a great
contrast to Captain Cobb. The former was a remarkably fine, handsome
man, with dignified manners and calm temper. We received orders soon
afterwards to proceed to the Philippine Islands, there to reconnoitre
the Spanish force supposed to be collected near their chief town of
Manilla, and if possible to cut out from under the batteries which guard
the harbour certain richly-laden ships which it was understood had there
taken shelter. We were also to attack all their armed dependencies, and
to give them as much annoyance as possible as we cruised up the
Archipelago.

As soon as we were clear of the land, the crews of the two frigates were
employed in making them look as much like French frigates as possible,
both as to rigging and hulls. The Philippines, belonging to Spain,
consist of a number of islands, the largest of which is Luzon, and is
divided into two parts joined by an isthmus about ten miles wide. The
capital, Manilla, where the cheroots are made, is situated on a bay of
that name. It is a large place, consisting of several suburbs or towns
surrounding the city proper, which is built on the banks of the river
Pasig. South of Manilla is the fortress of Cavite, situated at the
extremity of a tongue of land about two miles long. It protects the
entrance to the only harbour in the bay of Manilla. The arsenal is
within the fortress, and a number of vessels are built there. It was
under the guns of this fortress that we expected to find our prizes,
and, in spite of its formidable appearance, to cut them out. As we were
running down the coast of Luzon, the large island I have spoken of, we
captured a trader of considerable size belonging to the island, but, as
she was bound northward, Captain Masterman generously declined detaining
her after we had taken out of her all the cash to be found on board,
amounting to about six thousand dollars. It was somewhat amusing to see
the grateful way in which the Spanish skipper thanked the Englishmen for
having so mercifully robbed him, so I have heard my father say. It
might have been supposed that they had done him the greatest possible
favour, instead of having mulcted him of a pretty considerable sum. He
also, to show his gratitude, told us that the squadron in the harbour of
Cavite consisted of four sail of the line and four frigates, but that
only one ship