parting company of the Dort was not perceived by the Admiral and the other ships of the fleet.  When Philip went on deck next morning, he found that their consorts were not in sight.  He looked at the compass, and, perceiving that the course was altered, inquired at what hour and by whose directions.  Finding that it was by his superior officer, he of course said nothing.  When the Commodore came on deck, he stated to Philip that he felt himself warranted in not complying with the Admiral’s orders, as it would have been sacrificing the whole ship’s company.  This was, indeed, true.

In two days they made the land, and, running into the shore, perceived a large town and Spaniards on the beach.  They anchored at the mouth of the river, and hoisted English colours, when a boat came on board to ask them who they were and what they required?  The Commodore replied that the vessel was English, for he knew that the hatred of the Spanish to the Dutch was so great that, if known to belong to that nation, he would have had no chance of procuring any supplies, except by force.  He stated that he had fallen in with a Spanish vessel, a complete wreck, from the whole of the crew being afflicted with the scurvy; that he had taken the men out, who were now in their hammocks below, as he considered it cruel to leave so many of his fellow-creatures to perish, and that he had come out of his course to land them at the first Spanish fort he could reach.  He requested that they would immediately send on board vegetables and fresh provisions for the sick men, whom it would be death to remove, until after a few days, when they would be a little restored; and added, that in return for their assisting the Spaniards, he trusted the Governor would also send supplies for his own people.

This well made-up story was confirmed by the officer sent on board by the Spanish Governor.  Being requested to go down below and see the patients, the sight of so many poor fellows in the last stage of that horrid disease—­their teeth fallen out, gums ulcerated, bodies full of tumours and sores—­was quite sufficient, and, hurrying up from the lower deck, as he would have done from a charnel-house, the officer hastened on shore and made his report.

In two hours a large boat was sent off with fresh beef and vegetables sufficient for three days’ supply for the ship’s company, and these were immediately distributed among the men.  A letter of thanks was returned by the Commodore, stating that his health was so indifferent as to prevent his coming on shore in person to thank the Governor, and forwarding a pretended list of the Spaniards on board, in which he mentioned some officers and people of distinction, whom he imagined might be connected with the family of the Governor, whose name and titles he had received from the messenger sent on board; for the Dutch knew full well the majority of the noble Spanish families—­indeed, alliances had continually taken place between them, previous to their assertion of their independence.  The Commodore concluded his letter by expressing a hope that, in a day or two, he should be able to pay his respects and make arrangements for the landing of the sick, as he was anxious to proceed on his voyage of discovery.