N E VV SOUTH W A L E S. 217 
Wine was confiantly ferved in due proportions to the 
!ick and well, but neither that, nor any other remedy 
that could be tried amended the oondition of the people*, 
Sieknefs continued to fpread among thenij infcmiich that 
in the beginning of November onhy one man befides the 
officers was able to go aloft, A iliort alarm by no means 
ndded to the comfort of their condition : on the firft of ^'a^'e^bcr i, 
17880 
this month four large boats, three of which rov^ed 
eip-hteen oars, and the fourth not lefs than twelve or 
fourteen, bore doy\^n upon the- fiiip, apparently with 
liofdie intentions. V/hen they approached v/ithin about 
a miile they lay to, as if to confult with each other, and 
then continued to row and fail after the Alexander. 
Lieutenant Shortland hoifted Engliili colours, which one 
of the boats anfwered by hoifling Dutch, and another 
Portugueze colours. They continued in chafe till iive in 
the afternoon, and it was imagined that their deiign was 
to board and feize the Ihip in the night. During the 
purfuit the little ftrength that could be raifed was put in 
motion, all were frationed at their quarters, and the car-^ 
ronades and great guns put in order. When thefe pre- 
parations were made. Lieutenant Shortland determined to 
{how his ovm refolution, and to try that of his alTailantSj 
by firing a fnot in a dire6l line over them. This v/as 
done accordingly, and fully anfwered the intention, for 
they immediately defifted from the purfuitj and m^ade ■ - 
haftily for the lliore. .. ; 
Ff ■ . I-Iad 
