70 USELESS PRECAUTIONS. 
At twelve o’clock at night, the watch on deck 
observed a large boat approaching with cau- 
tion to within reach of musket-shot. This slink- 
ing about in the dark had a suspicious ap- 
pearance, especially as the colony having re- 
volted against the mother-country, was in a 
state of war. Want of light prevented our 
learning the strength of the boat’s crew, or 
what arms it carried; but we prepared to repel 
an attack, in which, however, it was manifest 
the advantage would be greatly on our side. 
I ordered the watch to hail the boat, which in 
return addressed us through a trumpet, first in 
Spanish, and immediately afterwards in Eng- 
lish, inquiring to what nation we belonged, 
and whence, and for what purpose, we were 
come. Upon our reply that we were Russians 
and good friends, the boat came nearer, and an 
officer, well armed with sword and pistols, came 
on deck, but was so alarmed on perceiving our 
state of warlike preparations, that he did not 
utter a word till he had satisfied himself that 
we were really Russians, and had no hostile in- 
tentions. 
The cause of his fear lay in the report of a 
