Gm, VL SOUTH AMERICA. 371 



tardment occafioned by fuch confufion, had induced 

 them to divide themfelves, ibme going to windward 

 and others 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 Ihips to run to leeward of him, 

 and keep at a proper diftance. The currents towards 

 the north continued with greater force on the loth, 

 iith, and 12th; and during thefe days, the winds 

 fhifted from E. S. E. to N. ^ 



On the 13th, the fleet coming into lat. 27^ 30^, 

 the force of the currents, which had hitherto been 

 obferved, now entirely decreafed ; 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 1 5th in the morning flie was 

 feen fo near, that the commodore made a fignal for 

 two (hips to chace. But being a fhip very fit for 

 the fervice flie 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. 



On the 17th, in 31^ of lat. and 3"^ 14! E. of the 

 meridian of Cape Francois, the wind fhifted to N. 

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

 ftood to the eaft ; but the fea running high, they 

 drove to 28*' 44! lat. as v/as obferved on the 23d, 

 and 8° 40^ long. Here the winds came about to 

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

 northerly. 



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

 with fair weather and freflining veered to the S. S. 

 W. S. W. and W. the courfe of the fleet was N. E. 

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

 when they made Cape Prior on the coafl: of Gallicia 



B b 2 and 



