n they
saw a broadside preparing, and to continue in that posture until it had
been given, after which they rose, and presuming the danger to be over
for some time, worked their guns and fired with great briskness, until
they supposed that another broadside was ready to be fired, when they
acted as before. The plan adopted by the commodore, however, rendered
this practice of theirs impossible.

At the news of a sail being in sight, the ship's company had no doubt
that this was one of the galleons, and they expected soon to see the
other. The _Centurion_ stood on until about half-past seven, when the
stranger could be seen from her deck, and no doubt remained that she was
one of the long-sought-for ships. The hopes of the _Centurion's_ crew
rose high, and all hands with alacrity hastened to their stations. At
length the galleon fired a gun and took in her topgallant sails, which
was supposed to be a signal for her consort to hasten up. The
_Centurion_, therefore, fired a gun to leeward in order to amuse her.

The commodore was surprised all this time to find that the galleon did
not alter her course, but continued to bear down upon her, for he hardly
believed--what afterwards appeared to be the case--that her captain knew
his ship to be the _Centurion_, and had resolved to fight her. About
noon the _Centurion_ was a little more than a league from the galleon,
and could fetch her wake, so that she could not now escape. No second
ship appearing, it was concluded that she had been separated from her
consort. Soon after the galleon hauled up her foresail, and brought to
under her topsails, with her head to the northward, hoisting Spanish
colours, and having the standard of Spain on the topgallant masthead.

The _Centurion_ now rapidly neared the galleon. A little after noon
there were several squalls of wind and rain, which often obscured the
latter from sight; but whenever it cleared up, she was observed
resolutely lying to. Towards one o'clock, the _Centurion_ hoisted her
broad pennant and colours, she being then within gunshot of the enemy.
The Spaniards, the commodore observed, had neglected to clear their
ship, they being engaged in throwing overboard cattle and lumber. He
gave orders to fire upon them with the chase-guns, to prevent them from
completing their work.

The galleon returned the fire with two of her stern-chasers. Soon after
the _Centurion_ came abreast of her, within pistol-shot, keeping to