fifteen leagues distant; though once indeed, by an
indraught of the tide, as was supposed, they found themselves in the
morning within seven leagues of the land.

As the month of June advanced, the expectancy and impatience of the
commodore's people each day increased. And I think no better idea can
be given of their great eagerness on this occasion, than by copying a
few paragraphs from the journal of an officer, who was then on
board, as it will, I presume, be a more natural picture of the full
attachment of their thoughts to the business of their cruise, than can
be given by any other means. The paragraphs I have selected, as they
occur in order of time, are as follow:

"_May_ 31. Exercising our men at their quarters, in great expectation
of meeting with the galleons very soon; this being the eleventh of
June their stile."

"_June_ 3. Keeping in our stations, and looking out for the galleons."

"_June_ 5. Begin now to be in great expectation, this being the middle
of June their stile."

"_June_ 11. Begin to grow impatient at not seeing the galleons."

"_June_ 13. The wind having blown fresh easterly for the forty-eight
hours past, gives us great expectations of seeing the galleons soon."

"_June_ 15. Cruising on and off, and looking out strictly."

"_June_ 19. This being the last day of June, N.S. the galleons, if
they arrive at all, must appear soon."

From these samples it is sufficiently evident, how completely the
treasure of the galleons had engrossed their imagination, and how
anxiously they passed the latter part of their cruise, when the
certainty of the arrival of these vessels was dwindled down to
probability only, and that probability became each hour more and more
doubtful. However, on the 20th of June, O.S. being just a month from
their arrival on their station, they were relieved from this state
of uncertainty; when, at sun-rise, they discovered a sail from the
mast-head, in the S.E. quarter. On this, a general joy spread
through the whole ship; for they had no doubt but this was one of
the galleons, and they expected soon to see the other. The commodore
instantly stood towards her, and at half an hour after seven they were
near enough to see her from the Centurion's deck; at which time the
galleon fired a gun, and took in her top-gallant sails, which
was supposed to be a signal to her consort, to hasten her up; and
therefore the Centurion fired a gun to leeward, to amuse her. The
commodore w