SPANISH COWARDICE. 21 
of it. After, however, waiting a considerable 
time in vain, perceiving the continuance of war- 
like preparations on the walls, we were reluctant- 
ly obliged to renounce all hopes of visiting the 
island or the Peak, and to continue our voyage 
to Brazil, where we might reckon upon a kinder 
welcome. 
Here, then, was an end to all our promised 
pleasures. The enrichment of our museum, 
the merry parties and the choice wine all for- 
feited to a simple misunderstanding! What- 
ever might be their motive, it was an incon- 
siderate action in the Spaniards wantonly to 
insult the Russian flag; and even if they mis- 
took us for enemies, it was silly to be afraid of 
a single ship, considering that the renowned 
Nelson, with an English fleet, had found the 
fortifications impregnable. 
After a few miles’ sail we perceived a large 
three-masted ship endeavouring, with the wind 
against her, to reach the roads of Santa Cruz. 
We steered towards her, in hopes that we might 
obtain some information that should explain the 
riddle of the treatment we had received. But 
the ship seemed as much afraid of us as the 
