at liberty."

These remarks reassured the Spaniards, who were further reconciled to
their lot when they saw the cloth spread, and a number of covers brought
aft by active hands. The table glittered with plate and glass, and
numerous well-filled bottles of ruby wine. While, however, the dinner
was getting ready, the Spanish officers were invited to take a turn on
deck. Their astonishment and vexation had been considerable before; it
was now increased when they saw a number of Englishmen come up, dressed
in the clothes of the Spaniards, and immediately jump into the Spanish
boat. Several of the frigates' boats were also seen at the same time to
shove off with their officers and men well armed, and to pull towards
the three Spanish gunboats which lay at their anchors just outside the
river leading to Manilla. The Admiral and his officers watched them
anxiously. What could they be about? On they went till they were
alongside the gunboats. Not a sound of a shot was heard, not a trigger
apparently had been pulled. In a short time the gunboats under sail
were seen slowly dropping down towards the frigates.

"Dinner is ready," observed our Captain to his guests. "We will inform
you of the particulars of what has taken place after you have enjoyed
it."

The Spaniards were wise men. They shrugged their shoulders, twirled
their moustaches, but said nothing, quickly following their hosts into
the cabin. Their eyes could not help brightening up when they saw the
good dinner spread before them, for such will, with few exceptions,
touch the hearts of mortals of all nations. Toasts were proposed,
healths drunk, and the Spaniards began to think that the accounts they
had read of British ferocity and British barbarism must have been
somewhat exaggerated. Meantime the three gunboats were brought
alongside with about one hundred and twenty officers and men as
prisoners. Several of their people had managed to escape on shore. The
officers acknowledged to their captors that there were a considerable
number more gunboats in the harbour, all new and coppered, very fast,
and well fitted for service. We, having plenty of provisions on board,
our Captain had ordered a good entertainment to be prepared for all the
prisoners, who showed no unwillingness to make themselves happy and at
home. We had already had a pretty good morning's work, but the
Spaniards seemed still willing to present us with another prize, for
soon after t