and by our perseverance gained a considerable distance,
the wind increased so much against us yesterday morning, that I was
compelled, from the disabled state of several of the ships, to abandon
my intention of going to the northward of Candia; and, not without
great risk, we ran through a passage imperfectly explored, and never
known to ships of war till we found it practicable: at the same time,
I almost shudder at the danger we escaped; nothing but a case of
extreme necessity could have justified the attempt, and Providence
was our guide;[17] at the same time warning us of the danger we ran,
having actually seen the breakers, and escaped them by a trifling
distance; and this was performed late at night, all the ships
following and guided by our lights.

[17] Sir James displayed a remarkable instance of presence of
mind and unhesitating decision in this unexpected case of
extreme danger. Captain John Tancock, who was then lieutenant of
the watch, and who, having served under Sir James during the
whole of the war, enjoyed his perfect confidence, anticipated
the captain's wishes in volunteering on this occasion to go up
to the mast-head and look out for rocks, and thus considerably
relieved his anxiety. The prizes were quite unable to beat to
windward, and, in order to be extricated from the peril which
the shift of wind had occasioned, their signal was made "to keep
in the Orion's wake." Sir James having determined to push on, as
the most probable means of saving his inefficient squadron, the
"helm was put up," and orders given to steer through a passage
between islands, which was marked "_doubtful_" in the charts,
and in which shallow water was soon discovered by Mr. Tancock,
who gave timely notice to the helmsman on their approach to each
danger. The rest of the ships kept close in the track of the
Orion, and in this manner the whole of the squadron and prizes
passed between the islands and breakers without accident; and
there can be no doubt that their safety was owing to the skilful
and decisive conduct of Sir James. It is but justice to add,
that, in approving of Mr. Tancock's very meritorious conduct, he
emphatically assured him that "he should never forget that he
had so fully anticipated his wishes."

"We are at present close to Candia, and the Admiral in sight; rather
in advance of us, owing to the circumstance I have related. I now fea