12 



(JHAPTER IL 



TRA.\SACT10I\S ON THE COAST OF BRAZILS ; ARRIVAL AND 

 DEPARTURE FROM ST. CATHARINES. 



The land we first discovered was high and irregular, and 

 I had every reason to beheve it to be part of a group of islands 

 to the north of Cape Frio. I therefore hauled to the south- 

 ward to make the Cape, which we discovered about four 

 P. M. Ran down and hove to off the pitch of it, to meet the 

 arrival of vessels bound to Rio Janeiro, this being the point 

 they endeavour to make from the north as well as south, 

 with the exception of some few coasting vessels, and is 

 considered as eligible a place as any in those seas for crui- 

 sing against the enemy's commerce. Lay to under easy 

 sail until the morning of the 27th, when we saw a sail, to 

 which we gave chase. On approaching her, discovered, 

 from her rig, that she was a Portuguese vessel bound to 

 the westward ; I therefore considered it adviseable to dis- 

 guise the ship as a merchantman, and, on passing her, 

 hoisted English colours, upon discovering which, she 

 hoisted the Portuguese flag. In the afternoon, saw another 

 sail to the southward, which bore the appearance of a Bri- 

 tish brig of war, to which we gave chase, but did not get 

 within gunshot until about ten o'clock, when we succeed- 

 ed in bringing her to. On hailing her I was answered 

 in Portuguese ; and it appearing that there was no person 

 on board who could speak or understand English, I conclu- 

 ded that she was a Portuguese vessel ; and as it came on 

 to blow a fresh gale of wind, and as the boat could not 

 board her without great risk, I determined on permitting 

 her to proceed without further delay. 



In the morning I discovered that we had run so far to the 

 westward during the chase, as to bring us within five leagues 

 of the entrance of Rio ; I therefore made all sail to endea- 

 vour to beat up to Cape Frio. But it came on to blow so 

 fresh, as to render the attempt fruitless, and, as I saw no 

 hopes of succeeding until a change took place, I concluded 

 on taking a position to intercept vessels from Rio, and con- 

 sequently bore up to run a little to leeward of the harbour, 



