Ch.VI. south AMERICA. J71 



tardment occafioned by fuch confufion, had induced 

 them to divide themfelves, fomc going to windward 

 and othrrs to leeward of the men of war. But this 

 was a conveniency which they were not long per- 

 mitted to enjoy, a privateer of the enemy appearing 

 in fight to windward of the fleet: and on this the 

 commodore ordered his fquadron to form into a line; 

 and the merchant fhips to run to leeward of him, 

 and keep at a proper diilance. The currents towards 

 the north continued with greater force on the loth, 

 nth, and 12th; and during thcfe days, the winds 

 lliifted from E. S. E. to N. 



On the 13th, the fleet coming into laf. 27° 3c', 

 the force of the currents, which had hitherto been 

 obferved, now entirely dccreafed ; the privateer did 

 not fail to come in fight of the fleet every morning ; 

 and towards night of drawing nearer, with a view 

 of carrying off a prize: but in the day time ihe kept 

 out of fight. On the 15th in the morning ihe was 

 iecn fo near, that the commodore made a fignal for 

 two fliips to chace. But being a ihip very fit for 

 the fervice ilie was employed in, the men of war foon 

 loft fight of her. The winds continued at E. and 

 S. E. but no more currents were perceivable. 



Om the 17th, in 31° of lat. and 3° 14' E. of the 

 meridian of Gape Francois, the wind íhifced to N. 

 and N. N. E. with frefh gales and ihowers ; the fleet 

 flood to the eafl:; but the fea running high, they 

 drove to 2B° 44' lat. as was obferved on the 23d, 

 and S° 40' long. Here the winds came about to 

 the N. W. and they began to ftecr N. E. one quarter 

 northerly. 



On the 25th, the wind veered to the S. E. and S. 

 with fair weather ; and frefliening veered to the S. S. 

 W. S. W. and W. the courfc of the fleet ^as N. E. 

 one quarter E. and E. N. E. till the 27th of Oftober, 

 when they made Cape Prior on the coafl; o^ Gallicia; 

 B b 2 • ' and 



