420 



Early In the morning a fignal appeared 

 at the fort, implying that a veffel was In fight. 

 Soon afterwards, this was lowered down, and 

 the packet fignal hoifted in Its place ; when 

 inftead of the pleafing expedation of feeing 

 a veffel of our fleet, and learning news of the 

 convoy, all were on tiptoe in the ftill more 

 lively hope of hearing news, not only of our 

 unfortunate armada, but of Europe, of Eng- 

 land, and our friends ! Concerning the 



fleet we had grown quite weary of conjedure, - 

 and now faw it probable that we might obtain 

 more accurate intelligence refpeding it, by 

 way of England, than by any (hip which had 

 been feparated from it upon the paffage. 



On the packet making the harbour it 

 caufed a crowd not unlike what you may have 

 feen at a failing or rowing match of boats up- 

 on the Thames. Each wifhing tq be firfl:, and 

 all being anxious to learn the news, the veffel 

 was befet on every quarter before fhe could 

 come to anchor, and the whole bay became 

 one animated fcene of crowded (hips and 

 moving boats. Many who could not go to the 

 packet as flie entered the harbour, repaired on 

 fhore to be ready, there, to meet the news. 



