-i46 TRAVELS IN " ^ ' 
But thefe circumflances take a very different turn on the 
homeward-bound voyage. The danger is then increafed in a 
much greater proportion than the value of tlie fhips is aug- 
mented. If, indeed, we are willing to allow the enemy to em- 
ploy the fame means that we fhould ourfelves do, in a like 
iltuation,. the capture of many of our fliips may be confidered as 
inevitable. rn-srfj 
In the firfl: place, the danger of the ftraits of Sunda prefents 
itfelf to our homeward-bound China fliips. A fmall fquadron 
from Batavia, ftationed at Nicholas Point on the north of Java, 
where there is good anchorage, or at Anjerie Point in the middle 
of the Strait, at both of which places it may receive a.conftant 
fupply of refrefhments, would be able to intercept every fhip that 
attempted to pafs the Strait. 
T> ^ - ;r ' ■ ^ ■■• 
Thefe ftraits, it is true, may be avoided by taking the eaftera 
paffage j but here a new and no lefs danger prefents itfelf from 
the port of Manilla. As all fhips, making this paffage, muft go 
within fight of Luconia, it would be difficult for them to avoid 
an adtive fquadron cruizing off this ifland. Thus, ■ • 
• .".'/ 
" Incidit in Scyllam cupiens vitare Charybdim j" 
by avoiding one danger they fall into a greater. 
Admitting, however, that either through the exertions of 
our cruizers, or the inactivity of the enemy, the China fleet 
ihould efcape both Scylla and Charibdis ; the next dangerous 
point 
