re briskly for near an hour longer, yet at last the commodore's
grape-shot swept their decks so effectually, and the number of their
slain and wounded was so considerable, that they began to fall into
great disorder, especially as the general, who was the life of the
action, was no longer capable of exerting himself. Their embarrassment
was visible from on board the commodore. For the ships were so near,
that some of the Spanish officers were seen running about with great
assiduity, to prevent the desertion of their men from their quarters:
But all their endeavours were in vain; for after having, as a last
effort, fired five or six guns with more judgment than usual, they
gave up the contest; and, the galleon's colours being singed off
the ensign-staff in the beginning of the engagement, she struck
the standard at her main-top-gallant-mast-head, the person who was
employed to do it, having been in imminent peril of being killed,
had not the commodore, who perceived what he was about, given express
orders to his people to desist from firing.

Thus was the Centurion possessed of this rich prize, amounting in
value to near a million and a half of dollars. She was called the
Nostra Signora de Cabadonga, and was commanded by the general Don
Jeronimo de Montero, a Portuguese by birth, and the most approved
officer for skill and courage of any employed in that service. The
galleon, was much larger than the Centurion, had five hundred and
fifty men and thirty-six guns mounted for action, besides twenty-eight
pidreroes in her gunwale, quarters and tops, each of which carried a
four-pound ball. She was very well furnished with small arms, and was
particularly provided against boarding, both by her close quarters,
and by a strong net-work of two-inch rope, which was laced over her
waist, and was defended by half pikes. She had sixty-seven killed in
the action, and eighty-four wounded, whilst the Centurion had only two
killed, and a lieutenant and sixteen wounded, all of whom, but one,
recovered: Of so little consequence are the most destructive arms in
untutored and unpractised hands.

The treasure thus taken by the Centurion having been for at least
eighteen months the great object of their hopes, it is impossible
to describe the transport on board, when, after all their reiterated
disappointments, they at last saw their wishes accomplished. But their
joy was near being suddenly damped by a most tremendous incident: For
no soon