ving
taken in as much wood and water as there was room for, the Tryal was
at last completed, and the whole squadron was ready for sea: On which
the tents on shore were struck, and all the sick removed on board. We
had here a melancholy proof how much the healthiness of this place
was over-rated by former writers; for, though the Centurion had alone
buried no less than twenty-eight of her men since our arrival, yet, in
the same interval, the number of her sick had increased from eighty to
ninety-six.

All being embarked, and every thing prepared for our departure, the
commodore made the signal for all captains, and delivered them their
orders, containing the successive places of rendezvous from hence to
the coast of Chili. Next day, being the 18th of January, 1741, the
signal was made for weighing, and the squadron put to sea; leaving
this island of St Catharines without regret, as we had been extremely
disappointed in our accommodations and expectatations of refreshment,
and in the humane and friendly offices we had been taught to look
for, in a place so much celebrated for its hospitality, freedom, and
convenience.

SECTION VI.

_The Run from St Catharines to Port St Julian; with some Account of
that Port, and of the Country to the South of the Rio Plata._

In quitting St Catharines, we left the last amicable port we proposed
to touch at, and were now proceeding to a hostile, or at best a desert
and inhospitable coast. As we were to expect a more boisterous climate
to the southward than any we had yet experienced, not only our
danger of separation would by this means be much augmented, but other
accidents of a more mischievous nature were also to be apprehended,
and as much as possible provided against. Mr Anson, therefore, in
appointing the various stations at which the ships of the squadron
were to rendezvous, had considered that his own ship might be disabled
from getting round Cape Horn, or might be lost, and gave therefore
proper directions, that, even in that case, the expedition might not
be abandoned. The orders delivered to the captains, the day before
sailing from St Catharines, were, in case of separation, which they
were to endeavour to avoid with the utmost care, that the first place
of rendezvous was to be Port St Julian, describing the place from Sir
John Narborough's account of it. They were there to provide as much
salt as they could take on board, both for their own use and that of
the other