will put
ashore at every place when we want water, whenever the weather will permit,
without any obstruction. The captain replied, There is no occasion for
that, we will water at the islands, and take a vessel going along. Mr
Cummins said, Sir, what shall we do with a vessel, without provisions, for
ninety souls? The captain answered, We will take a vessel loaded with flour
from Chili, there being a great many trading vessels that way, and then we
will proceed through the Streights of Magellan. Mr Cummins said, How shall
we take a vessel without guns, not having any but muskets, and our enemies
know, as well as ourselves, that we have a squadron in these seas,
therefore, undoubtedly are well armed, and keep a good look-out? The
captain's answer to this was, What are our small arms for, but to board
'em? The carpenter said, Sir, if a shot should take the boat under water,
it would not be in my power to stop a leak of that kind, where the plank is
so thin, that in some places it is not above three quarters of an inch
thick. The captain then said, Gentlemen; I am agreeable to any thing, and
willing to go any way, for the preservation of the people; but at the same
time would have you consider of it, the wind being always against us on the
other side the land, and we have above seven hundred leagues to the river
Plate. I answered the captain, 'Tis not above five hundred and ninety
leagues from hence to Cape St Antonio's; and, as I have before said, let
the navigators work it, and reason take place, which is what we chiefly
desire to be governed by: Another inducement we have to go the way proposed
is, that we may be assured of water and provision. I allow that, says the
captain, and we may save our own; but how do you know whether we may not
meet enemies in the Streights? I replied to the captain, We can have no
enemies to encounter there, but Indians in their canoes, and those we can
master at our pleasure. The captain then seemed to countenance our opinion
again, and said, When we come to St Julian's we shall be sure of salt in
plenty for our provisions, without which our fowls will not keep above two
or three days: Besides, when we come to the river Plate, we may meet with a
prize, they not being acquainted with any English vessel like ours, with
schooner's sails, by which means we may run up the river and take a larger
vessel: If we fail here, we may go ashore, and get what cattle we please,
but what business have we at th