with fresh beef and vegetables
sufficient for three days' supply for the ship's company, and these were
immediately distributed among the men. A letter of thanks was returned
by the commodore, stating that his health was so indifferent as to
prevent his coming on shore in person to thank the governor, and
forwarding a pretended list of the Spaniards on board, in which he
mentioned some officers and people of distinction, whom he imagined
might be connected with the family of the governor, whose name and
titles he had received from the messenger sent on board; for the Dutch
knew full well the majority of the noble Spanish families--indeed,
alliances had continually taken place between them, previous to their
assertion of their independence. The commodore concluded his letter by
expressing a hope that, in a day or two, he should be able to pay his
respects, and make arrangements for the landing of the sick, as he was
anxious to proceed on his voyage of discovery.

On the third day, a fresh supply of provisions was sent on board, and so
soon as they were received the commodore, in an English uniform went on
shore and called upon the governor, gave a long detail of the sufferings
of the people he had rescued, and agreed that they should be sent on
shore in two days, as they would by that time be well enough to be
moved. After many compliments, he went on board, the governor having
stated his intention to return his visit on the following day, if the
weather were not too rough. Fortunately, the weather was rough for the
next two days, and it was not until the third that the governor made his
appearance. This was precisely what the commodore wished.

There is no disease, perhaps, so dreadful or so rapid in its effects
upon the human frame, and at the same time so instantaneously checked,
as the scurvy, if the remedy can be procured. A few days were
sufficient to restore those, who were not able to turn in their
hammocks, to their former vigour. In the course of the six days nearly
all the crew of the Dort were convalescent, and able to go on deck; but
still they were not cured. The commodore waited for the arrival of the
governor, received him with all due honours, and then, so soon as he was
in the cabin, told him very politely that he and all his officers with
him were prisoners. That the vessel was a Dutch man-of-war, and that it
was his own people, and not Spaniards, who had been dying of the scurvy.
He consoled