they discover the ship, which the
captain is carefully to observe: For if, after this first fire is
extinguished, he perceives that four or more are lighted up again, he
is then to conclude that there are enemies on the coast; and on this
he is immediately to endeavour to speak with the centinel on shore,
and to procure from him more particular intelligence of their force,
and of the station they cruise in; pursuant to which, he is to
regulate his conduct, and to endeavour to gain some secure port
amongst those islands, without coming in sight of the enemy; and in
case he should be discovered when in port, and should be apprehensive
of attack, he is then to land his treasure, and to take some of his
artillery on shore for its defence, not neglecting to send frequent
and particular accounts to the city of Manilla of all that passes.
But if, after the first fire on shore, the captain observes that two
others only are made by the centinels, he is then to conclude, that
there is nothing to fear: And he is to pursue his course without
interruption, and to make the best of his way to the port of Cabite,
which is the port to the city of Manilla, and the constant station for
all the ships employed in this commerce to Acapulco.

SECTION XXI.

_Our Cruise off the Port of Acapulco for the Manilla Ship._

I have already mentioned, that the return of our barge from the port
of Acapulco, where she had surprised three negro fishermen, gave us
inexpressible satisfaction, as we learnt from our prisoners, that the
galleon was then preparing to put to sea, and that her departure was
fixed, by an edict of the viceroy of Mexico, to the 14th of March,
N.S. that is, to the 3d of March, according to our reckoning.

Having satisfied ourselves upon this head, we indulged our curiosity
in enquiring after other news; when the prisoners informed us, that
they had received intelligence at Acapulco, of our having plundered
and burnt the town of Paita; and that, on this occasion, the governor
of Acapulco had augmented the fortifications of the place, and had
taken several precautions to prevent us from forcing our way into the
harbour; that in particular, he had placed a guard on the island which
lies at the harbour's mouth, and that this guard had been withdrawn
but two nights before the arrival of our barge: So that had the barge
succeeded in her first attempt, or had she arrived at the port the
second time two days sooner, she could scarcel