146 



on board, and that they were drefled in fcar- 

 let uniform j no doubt, therefore, remained of 

 their being friends. As they came near we 

 climed up to the main-yard, to enjoy the de- 

 lighting fcene prefented by their gently fail- 

 ing into harbour; and as you know how often I 

 have had to note our difappointments regarding 

 this difaftrous expedition, you will compre- 

 hend how eagerly I greeted the termination 

 of them in the profpecT: now before my eye. 

 Pleafed and delighted to witnefs what we 

 beheld as the arrival of the whole fleet, we 

 counted the mips in great joy as they came 

 into the bay ; when, having proceeded to the 

 number of feventeen, judge of the mortifica- 

 tion we felt upon difcovering that ftill we had 

 only welcomed a detached divifion of our ex- 

 petted convoy. 



Standing upon the main-yard, numbering 

 the Ihips as they dropped into the harbour, I 

 anticipated the pleafure of fitting down in the 

 evening to inform you that the different fleets 

 of our expedition were, at laft, fafe in Carlifle 

 bay— but on taking up my pen I have only 

 to tell of new difappointments, which, ia 



