been exposed, had they
been less careful. Indeed, the sufferings of the poor prisoners,
though impossible to be alleviated, were much to be commiserated; for
the weather was extremely hot, the stench of the hold loathsome beyond
all conception, and their allowance of water but just sufficient to
keep them alive, it not being practicable to spare them more than at
the rate of a pint a-day for each, the crew themselves having only an
allowance of a pint and a half. All this considered, it was wonderful
that not a man of them died during their long confinement, except
three of the wounded, who died the same night they were taken; though
it must be confessed, that the greatest part of them were strangely
metamorphosed by the heat of the hold; for when they were first taken,
they were sightly, robust fellows; but when, after above a month's
imprisonment, they were discharged in the river of Canton, they were
reduced to mere skeletons; and their air and looks corresponded much
more to the conception formed of ghosts and spectres, than to the
figure and appearance of real men.

Thus employed in securing the treasure and the prisoners, the
commodore stood for the river of Canton; and, on the 30th of June, at
six in the evening, got sight of Cape Delangano, which then bore west
ten leagues distant; and, the next day, he made the Bashee islands,
and the wind being so far to the northward, that it was difficult to
weather them, it was resolved to stand through between Grafton and
Monmouth islands, where the passage seemed to be clear; but in getting
through, the sea had a very dangerous aspect, for it rippled and
foamed, as if it had been full of breakers, which was still more
terrible, as it was then night. But the ships got through very safe,
(the prize always keeping a-head) and it was found that the appearance
which had alarmed them had been occasioned only by a strong tide. I
must here observe, that though the Bashee islands are usually reckoned
to be no more than five, yet there are many more lying about them
to the westward, which, as the channels amongst them are not at all
known, makes it advisable for ships, rather to pass to the northward
or southward, than through them; and indeed the commodore proposed
to have gone to the northward, between them and Formosa, had it been
possible for him to have weathered them. From hence the Centurion
steering the proper course for the river of Canton, she, on the 8th
of July, discov