ce, from the known policy
and cruelty of the Spaniards in their distant settlements, it was rather
to be expected that the Governor, if he once had them in his power, would
make their want of commissions (all of them being on board the Centurion)
a pretext for treating them as pirates, and for depriving them of their
lives with infamy.

In the midst of these gloomy reflections Mr. Anson had doubtless his
share of disquietude, but he always kept up his usual composure and
steadiness; and having soon projected a scheme for extricating himself
and his men from their present anxious situation, he first communicated
it to some of the most intelligent persons about him; and having
satisfied himself that it was practicable, he then endeavoured to animate
his people to a speedy and vigorous prosecution of it. With this view he
represented to them how little foundation there was for their
apprehensions of the Centurion's being lost; that he was not without
hopes that she might return in a few days, but if she did not, the worst
that could be supposed was that she was driven so far to the leeward of
the island that she could not regain it, and that she would consequently
be obliged to bear away for Macao, on the coast of China; that, as it was
necessary to be prepared against all events, he had, in this case,
considered of a method of carrying them off the island and joining their
old ship the Centurion again at Macao; that this method was to haul the
Spanish bark on shore, to saw her asunder, and to lengthen her twelve
feet, which would enlarge her to near forty tons burthen, and would
enable her to carry them all to China. He added that for his own part he
would share the fatigue and labour with them, and would expect no more
from any man than what he, the Commodore himself, was ready to submit to,
and concluded with representing to them the importance of saving time,
and that, in order to be the better prepared for all events, it was
necessary to set to work immediately and to take it for granted that the
Centurion would not be able to put back (which was indeed the Commodore's
secret opinion); since, if she did return, they should only throw away a
few days' application, but, if she did not, their situation and the
season of the year required their utmost despatch.

These remonstrances, though not without effect, did not immediately
operate so powerfully as Mr. Anson could have wished. It was some days
before they were all o