2.66 
TRAVELS IN 
be difficult for them to avoid an active squadron cruizing off 
this island. Thus, 
*' Incidit in Scyllam cupiens vitare Charybdim 
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 
should escape both Scylla aud Charibdis ; the next dangerous 
point that occurs, not only to them but to the whole trading 
concern of the East India Company, is the L'Aguilla^s Bank, 
where we can have no cruizers to protect our trade, on ac- 
count of the heavy storms that prevail there, and the want 
of a friendly port to refit and refresh our ships. The cur- 
rent, that sets along the outer mr.rgin of this bank, moves at 
the rate of forty or fifty miles a day, in the winter months, in 
direct opposition to the north-westerly winds ; a circumstance 
so well known, that all our ships strive to keep in the stream 
of the current, which sweeps them round the Cape against 
the wind. The enemy's cruizers would find no difficulty in 
running from False Bay, in the winter months, close along 
shore as far as Algoa Bay, w^iich our ships have frequently 
done in three or four days ; and, by skirting the outer margin 
of L'Aguilla's Bank, they can, at any time, return by the stream 
of the current, even against a gale of wind. Thus might their 
ships of war from the Cape track our homeward-bound India- 
men, and greatly annoy our trade ; for, on the return-voyage, 
they have much less scope in doubling the Cape than w^hen 
6utward-bound. Indeed, in the winter season, it is almost 
