422 



HISTORY OF THE SEA, 



tells us, among other things, that, as he often caught more goats 

 than he wanted, he sometimes marked their ears and let them go. 

 This was about thirty-two years before our arrival at the island 

 Now, it happened that the first goat that was killed by our 

 people had his ears slit; whence we concluded that he had 

 doubtless been formerly under the power of N Selkirk. He was 

 an animal of a most venerable aspect, dignified with an exceed- 

 ing majestic beard and with many other symptoms of antiquity." 



The Centurion was soon joined by the Tryal sloop of war, 

 by the Gloucester, and the victualler Anna Pink : the other 

 members of the squadron were never heard of again. Upon 

 the island, which was entirely deserted, Anson thought he dis- 

 covered appearances which indicated the recent presence there of 

 a Spanish force ; and, as they might return, every effort was made 

 to get the ships and the men in position to cope with them on 

 equal terms. While refitting, a sail was discovered upon the 

 distant horizon, and the Centurion started out in pursuit of her. 

 Anson took her for a Spanish man-of-war, and ordered the 

 officers' cabin to be knocked down and thrown overboard, and 

 the decks to be cleared for action. She proved, however, to be 

 an unarmed merchantman sailing under Spanish colors. She 

 surrendered without delay, and proved to be the Monte Carmelo, 

 bound from Callao to Valparaiso, with a cargo of sugar and blue 

 cloth, and, what was infinitely more acceptable to Anson and his 

 crew, eighty thousand dollars in Spanish coin. The Centurion 

 then returned with her prize to Juan Fernandez. The spirits 

 of the English were greatly raised by this capture, and their 

 despondency dissipated by so tangible an earnest of success. 

 The repairs upon all the vessels were hastily completed, and, 

 while they were sent to cruise in different directions in search 

 of Spanish merchantmen, the Centurion and the Carmelo sailed, 

 on the 19th of September, for the general rendezvous at Val- 

 paraiso. 



In November, Anson determined to attack, with the force of 



