but soon after the sun was up there
was a squall to windward, when on a sudden one of the men called out
that he saw something astern. It was a waterspout beginning to work
within a quarter of a mile of the ship in the wind's eye. She was at
once put before the breeze. It came very swiftly, whirling the water up
in a pillar about six or seven yards high. As yet no pendulous cloud
from whence it might come could be seen. In about four or five minutes
it came within a cable's length of the ship, when a long pale stream was
observed descending from the clouds to the whirling water. Almost
immediately afterwards the threatening column passed off to leeward.

After passing the island of Ceram about eight at night, a large vessel
was seen on the weather side. As it was possible she might prove an
enemy, the men went to their guns with matches lighted. The small arms
were got upon the quarter-deck, and every preparation made for a fight;
but as they were on opposite tacks, she was soon at a distance. The
following morning, both vessels being becalmed, Dampier sent his yawl
aboard the stranger, which proved to be a Chinese vessel, laden with
rice, arrack, tea, porcelain, and other commodities, bound for Amboyna.
The master gave the English a good deal of important information, and
told them that the Dutch had settled at several places in the Eastern
Archipelago.

The _Roebuck_ was now steered for Batavia, as she required considerable
repairs, having become foul and crazy, though it was not suspected in
how rotten and ruinous a condition she was.

While here, Dampier heard that the Dutch had sent two vessels to capture
him, supposing that he was a pirate.

The _Roebuck_ sailed from Batavia on the 17th of October, and had a
quick run across the Indian Ocean. On the 30th of December she reached
the Cape of Good Hope, and from thence stood directly for Saint Helena,
where she remained for some days. Just as she had made the island of
Ascension, it was discovered that a dangerous leak had been sprung. The
chain pumps were set going, but the water still gained on the crew. On
the morning of the 23rd February, in the hopes of being able to stop the
leak, the ship was steered in for the bay, and came to an anchor.
Dampier devised a plan for stopping the leak; but either through the
carelessness or ignorance of the carpenter, it was only made worse.
Notwithstanding all his endeavours to check it, the water rushed in wit