C > . 



We had for fome time been fenfible 

 of our approach to the land, from no 

 other tokens than thofe of weeds and 

 birds, which are the ufual indications 

 of nearing the coaft ; but at length we 

 had an imperfedl view of an eminence, 

 which we conje&ured to be one of the 

 mountains of the Cordilleras. This, 

 however, was not fo diftinftly feen but 

 that many conceived it to be the effect 

 of imagination : but if the captain 

 was perfuaded of the nearnefs of our 

 danger, it was now too late to remedy 

 it j for at this time the ftraps of the fore 

 jeer blocks breaking, the fore-yard came 

 down , and the greateft part of the meu 

 being difabled through fatigue and fick- 

 nefs, it was fome time before it could 



(C. 7.) 5 and from the condu6l of the commodore (C. i o.) 

 who cruized (with the utmoft hazard) more than a fort- 

 night off the ifle of Socoro, and along the coaft in its 

 neighbourhood. It was the fecond rendezvous at Baldivia, 

 and not that at Socoro, that the commodore was forced by 

 fieceflity to negledt. 



