e leagues; the distance we afterwards found it to
be.

"About three o'clock in the afternoon, we weathered the point pointed
out by the woman, and perceived a flagstaff and a twelve-gun battery
under our lee. I now divided among the men the sum of six pounds ten
shillings that I had found in Captain Frere's cabin, and made another
and more equal distribution of the clothing. There were also two
watches, one of which I gave to Lesly, and kept the other for myself. It
was resolved among us to say that we were part crew of the brig Julia,
bound for China and wrecked in the South Seas. Upon landing at the
battery, we were heartily entertained, though we did not understand one
word of what they said. Next morning it was agreed that Lesly, Barker,
Shiers, and Russen should pay for a canoe to convey them to the town,
which was nine miles up the river; and on the morning of the 6th March
they took their departure. On the 9th March, a boat, commanded by a
lieutenant, came down with orders that the rest of us should be conveyed
to town; and we accordingly launched the boat under convoy of the
soldiers, and reached the town the same evening, in some trepidation. I
feared lest the Spaniards had obtained a clue as to our real character,
and was not deceived--the surviving soldier having betrayed us. This
fellow was thus doubly a traitor--first, in deserting his officer, and
then in betraying his comrades.

"We were immediately escorted to prison, where we found our four
companions. Some of them were for brazening out the story of shipwreck,
but knowing how confused must necessarily be our accounts, were we
examined separately, I persuaded them that open confession would be our
best chance of safety. On the 14th we were taken before the Intendente
or Governor, who informed us that we were free, on condition that we
chose to live within the limits of the town. At this intelligence I felt
my heart grow light, and only begged in the name of my companions that
we might not be given up to the British Government; 'rather than which,'
said I, 'I would beg to be shot dead in the palace square.' The Governor
regarded us with tears in his eyes, and spoke as follows: 'My poor men,
do not think that I would take that advantage over you. Do not make an
attempt to escape, and I will be your friend, and should a vessel come
tomorrow to demand you, you shall find I will be as good as my word. All
I have to impress upon you is, to beware of intemper