and of which we had many instances in the course of
this navigation. Some Indian and negro slaves we had taken in our
prizes, and continued on board to assist in navigating our ships, were
astonished at our feeding on turtle, and seemed fully persuaded that
it would soon destroy us; but finding that none of us died, nor even
suffered in our health by a continuation of this diet, they at last
got so far the better of their aversion, as to be persuaded to taste
it, to which the absence of all other kinds of fresh provisions might
not a little contribute. However, it was with great reluctance, and
very sparingly, that they began to eat it: But the relish improving
upon them by degrees, they at last grew extremely fond of it,
preferred it to every other kind of food, and often felicitated each
other on the happy experience they had acquired, and the delicious and
plentiful repasts it would be always in their power to procure, when
they should return to their country. Those who are acquainted with the
manner of life of these unhappy wretches, need not be told, that next
to large draughts of spirituous liquors, plenty of tolerable food is
the greatest joy they know; and that the discovering a method which
would supply them with what quantity they pleased of a kind more
luxurious to the palate than any their haughty lords and masters
could indulge in, was a circumstance which they considered as the most
fortunate that could befal them.

In three days time we had completed our business at this place, and
were extremely impatient to put to sea, that we might arrive time
enough on the coast of Mexico to intercept the Manilla galleon. The
wind being contrary detained us a night, and the next day when we got
into the offing, (which we did through the same channel by which we
entered) we were obliged to keep hovering about the island, in hopes
of getting sight of the Gloucester. It was the 9th of December, in the
morning, when we put to sea, and continuing to the southward of the
island, looking out for the Gloucester, we, on the 10th, at five in
the afternoon, discerned a small sail to the northward of us, to which
we gave chase, and coming up took her. She proved to be a bark from
Panama, bound to Cheripe, an inconsiderable village on the continent,
and was called the _Jesu Nazareno_. She had nothing on board but some
oakum, about a ton of rock-salt, and between 30l. and 40l. in specie,
most of it consisting of small silver money,