Anchor-ground,
we stood over to the Bashee Island, and came to an Anchor on the
North East part of it, against a small sandy Bay, in 7 fathom clean
hard Sand, and about a quarter of a Mile from the Shore. Here is a
pretty wide Channel between these two Islands, and Anchoring all over
it. The Depth of Water is 2, 14, and 16 Fathom.

We presently built a Tent ashore, to mend our Sails in, and stay'd
all the rest of our time here, viz. from the 13th day of August till
the 26th day of September. In which time we mended our Sails, and
scrubb'd our Ships bottom very well; and every day some of us went to
their Towns, and were kindly entertained by them. Their Boats also
came aboard with their Merchandize to sell, and lay aboard all Day;
and if we did not take it off their Hands one Day, they would bring
the same again the next.

We had yet the Winds at S.W. and S.S.W. mostly fair Weather. In October
we did expect the Winds to shift to the N.E. and therefore we provided
to sail (as soon as the Eastern Monsoon was settled) to cruize off
at Manila. Accordingly we provided a stock of Provision. We salted
70 or 80 good fat Hogs, and bought Yams and Potatoes good store to
eat at Sea.

About the 24th day of September, the Winds shifted about to the East,
and from thence to the N.E. fine fair Weather. The 25th it came at
N. and began to grow fresh, and the Sky began to be clouded; and the
Wind freshened on us.

At 12 a clock at night it blew a very fierce Storm. We were then riding
with our best Bower [27] a Head and though our Yards and Top-mast
were down, yet we drove. This obliged us to let go our Sheet-Anchor,
veering out a good scope of Cable, which stopt us till 10 or 11 a
clock the next day. Then the Wind came on so fierce, that she drove
again, with both Anchors a-head. The Wind was now at N. by W. and we
kept driving till 3 or 4 a clock in the afternoon: and it was well
for us that there were no Islands, Rocks, or Sands in our way, for
if there had, we must have been driven upon them. We used our utmost
endeavours to stop here, being loath to go to Sea, because we had six
of our Men ashore, who could not get off now. At last we were driven
off into deep Water, and then it was in vain to wait any longer:
Therefore we hove in our Sheet Cable, and got up our Sheet Anchor,
and cut away our best Bower, (for to have heav'd her up then would
have gone near to have foundred us) and so put to Sea. We had very
violent Weather t