TRUXILLO.--THE COMMODORE RECEIVES ME AND MY GALLEON WITH
JOY.--FEARFUL SICKNESS ON BOARD SQUADRON.--THE ISLAND OF RATTAN.--
CAPSIZED IN A SQUALL.--SHIP RIGHTS.--BEAT OFF A PRIVATEER.--REACH
JAMAICA.--THE SAINT DOMINGO CONDEMNED, AND CARGO PLACED ON BOARD THE
ROTTEN LEVIATHAN.--REJOIN THE CHARON.--SAIL WITH CONVOY.--PIRATICAL
EXPLOITS.--SINKING OF LEVIATHAN, AND MY HOPES OF PRIZE-MONEY LOST.--
REACH THE DOWNS, AND START FOR FALMOUTH.

Whenever the duties of the ship would allow me to go on shore, I
repaired to the ruins of Truxillo, for I was never weary of wandering
among its deserted streets and exploring its shattered edifices.
Meantime the repairs of the ship went on as expeditiously as possible,
and by the 16th of November we had set up our rigging, got all the wood
and water we could stowaway on board, and made every other requisite
preparation for encountering a winter passage to England. I had
arranged to sail the next day, when at noon it was reported to me that a
brig was seen standing into the bay.

"Make the signal for the people to hurry on board," was my reply as I
went on deck.

Having examined the stranger through the glass, I thought she looked
suspicious, so I hoisted the private signal and waited with some little
anxiety to ascertain if it was answered. The fact that we had got
possession of the Saint Domingo, with all her wealth on board, would be
known to the Spaniards, and if they should discover that she was
separated from the rest of the fleet, they would very naturally send in
quest of her. The signal was not answered. "My lads, I suspect we
shall have a fight for it," I sung out, as I gave the order to prepare
for action, resolved to put the ship in as good a state of defence as
circumstances would allow. The ship was armed with sixteen
four-pounders, and four six-pounders, besides swivels and cohorns. I
first got springs on my cables, so as to have complete command over the
ship, and as I had not men sufficient to fight all the guns, I ran them
all over on one side, in order to make the first broadside as formidable
as possible. I hoped thus to sink or disable our antagonist, or to make
her sheer off. Should she, however, venture to board, I had no fear, as
I felt certain that my men would not fear to encounter twice their
number. They were full of fight, and the way they went about their
preparations gave me every confidence that we should succeed. The brig
approached us with a g