n too distressed a situation to make
much resistance with them, having been constantly wet, and eaten nothing
but a few green oranges for three days.

As our present situation was a hopeless one, and the man assured me
there was no fear of encountering any Ladrones, I complied with his
request, and stood in to leeward of the islands, where we found the
water much smoother, and apparently a direct passage to Macao. We
continued pulling and sailing all day. At six o'clock in the evening I
discovered three large boats at anchor in a bay to leeward. On seeing us
they weighed and made sail towards us. The Chinese said they were
Ladrones, and that if they captured us they would most certainly put us
all to death! Finding they gained fast on us, struck the masts, and
pulled head to wind for five or six hours. The tide turning against us,
anchored close under the land to avoid being seen. Soon after we saw the
boats pass us to leeward.

Thursday, the 21st, at daylight, the flood making, weighed and pulled
along shore in great spirits, expecting to be at Macao in two or three
hours, as by the Chinese account it was not above six or seven miles
distant. After pulling a mile or two perceived several people on shore,
standing close to the beach; they were armed with pikes and lances. I
ordered the interpreter to hail them, and ask the most direct passage to
Macao. They said if we came on shore they would inform us; not liking
their hostile appearance, I did not think proper to comply with the
request. Saw a large fleet of boats at anchor close under the opposite
shore. Our interpreter said they were fishing-boats, and that by going
there we should not only get provisions, but a pilot also to take us to
Macao.

I bore up, and on nearing them perceived there were some large vessels,
very full of men, and mounted with several guns. I hesitated to approach
nearer; but the Chinese assuring me they were Mandarine junks[18] and
salt-boats, we stood close to one of them, and asked the way to Macao.
They gave no answer, but made some signs to us to go in shore. We passed
on, and a large rowboat pulled after us; she soon came alongside, when
about twenty savage-looking villains, who were stowed at the bottom of
the boat, leaped on board us. They were armed with a short sword in each
hand, one of which they laid on our necks, and the other pointed to our
breasts, keeping their eyes fixed on their officer, waiting his signal
to cut or desis