were safe; and once more reducing sail we stood out to
sea. We, however, were still in far from a pleasant position, or
rather, we could not tell in what position we were, and had every reason
to believe it a bad one. Various were the opinions broached on board as
to our whereabouts. Some thought we were in the Bay of Dulce; others
that the point we had just weathered was Point Manwick; while the
Spanish prisoners affirmed that we were certainly down in the bottom of
the Gulf of Honduras. I could scarcely believe that the currents and
gales we had encountered, strong as they were, could in so short a time
have drifted us so far out of our course. As the day drew on the
weather moderated, and the mists clearing away, we found ourselves
surrounded by a number of rocks and islands. The Spaniards nodded their
heads and affirmed that they were right in their assertions.
Fortunately the sun came out to settle the question. I was able to take
two altitudes, and found that we were abreast of the Island of Rattan.
Not long after this I got a sight of Truxillo Bay, the place the
commodore had appointed for the rendezvous. I accordingly ran in and
anchored there at six o'clock, hoping to find the rest of the squadron
in the place, but, much to my disappointment and surprise, not another
ship was to be seen. This being the case, I had to examine my officers,
to ascertain what I was next to do. Much to my satisfaction I found
that I was forthwith to proceed home to Falmouth, and, having reported
my arrival to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to await their
further orders. In consequence of this I immediately proceeded to wood
and water the ship. This was a long and tedious operation, for having
lost all our boats one after the other in the gale, I was obliged to
employ a couple of very frail canoes. I persevered, however, and by
working hard managed to make progress in the task. While some of the
crew were on shore cutting wood and filling the casks, others were
employed in towing them off in the canoes, which were likewise laden
with wood. Though I worked myself, for the purpose of setting an
example, I found time to make an excursion or two a little way into the
interior. I was accompanied by Martin, one of my master's mates, and a
great friend of mine. We took our guns with us and my dog Omoa, who had
now become much attached to me. The shores of this bay of Truxillo are
wild and desolate in the extreme.