AFRICA. 21 
of a clergyman, a philofopher, and a man of 
letters. 
On the firft of February 1781, being three 
degrees north of the line, we were informed 
at break of day that a fail was feen in the ho- 
rizon. At that time the Mercury was a great 
way ahead out of fight, and we were perfect- 
ly becalmed. In vain had we recourfe to our 
fpy-glafTes ; nor could we diftinguifh, until 
nine in the morning, that it was only a velfel 
of fmall fize. Some believed it to be French . 
others maintained that it was Englifh : each 
reafoned according to his own manner, and 
formed various conjcdures, till its nearer ap- 
pjoach fhould difcover the truth. Some hours 
after we perceived that it was towed along by 
two boats, and that it was advancing towards 
us by the help of oars. As we then concluded 
that it was a veffel in diftrefs, approaching 
to beg affiftance, we fuffered it to come up to 
xis without interruption. About three in the 
afternoon, finding it clofe to us, we difplayed 
our colours, and fired a gun ; but we were very 
much furprifed to receive a fhot in our poop, 
which was followed ty a whole broadfide : 
the privateer at the fame time hoifted the 
C 3 Engliflx 
