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the other tack toward the island of Flores. The fog prevented us 

 from taking a meridional observation, but at three P. M. it cleared, 

 and to our great joy we saw Monte Video before us at four leagues 

 distance. Our seamen now took heart, and began to be more 

 expert ; we made all sail, but, the wind gradually declining, and 

 a strong current setting directly from the harbour, we were obliged 

 in the evening to let go our anchor about two leagues outside the 

 port. Night set in, accompanied by heavy gusts of wind, which 

 required me to be constantly upon deck, as Spanish seamen know 

 nothing that belongs to an anchor-watch, and heartily grudge the 

 care and labour that it demands. Hence they did not fail to 

 bestow ill-natured sneers and gibes on me and my nation for the 

 trouble I caused them, in calling them up to let go another anchor, 

 little reflecting that had it not been ready ere they left the deck, we 

 should in all probability have been wrecked. Another twenty-four 

 hours of unfavourable weather ensued, and on the day following we 

 entered the harbour of Monte Video. 



The hardships I experienced in reaching this ill-fated port, were 

 a fit prelude to the misfortunes that awaited me there. We were 

 bound for Buenos Ayres, but my captain, who in London and at 

 Cadiz had assured me that he had the experience of a pilot in the 

 Rio de la Plata, proved totally ignorant of its navigation, and 

 urged this circumstance as his reason for puttmg into Monte Video. 

 Happy should I have been, if this had been the only instance ot 

 his ignorance ; he gave an ill-judged and blundering report of me 

 to the governor, and the sailors affirmed that I was an Englishman, 

 declaring at the same time that we had passed an English squadron 

 under Spanish colours. This statement was enough to whet the 

 avarice of the governor, who, notwithstanding I had served the 

 colony, in bringing a cargo which was then much wanted, and 

 every article of which had paid legal duty in Cadiz, ordered me 

 to be thrown into prison. I was placed in close confinement on 

 board a wretched sloop of war ; and though my health was much 



