a 82 Travels into the L e v a n t. Part I- 
CHAP. LXXXXV. 
The Relation of an Engagement we had mth 
three Spanifh Corf airs, 
SVnday night, and Monday morning, the feventh of J^ril^ the Wind was 
fickle, fometimes Wefterly, fometimes Eafterly, but blew always frelh, 
and we ftill kept on our Courfe ^ but Monday the feventh of A^ril^ ( which was 
Monday in the Holy Week ) about four a Clock in the morning, we made two 
Ships and a Bark, or Sloop, that bore up towards us, there being fo little 
Wind, that it was almofl: a Calm. About eight a Clock, having perceived 
the Spanifli Colours abroad upon the Ships and Bark, we put out the Englifli 
Colours, and furled all our Sails but the Maintop-fail. This put them to a 
fland, when they faw with what Refolution we waited for them. So that be- 
ing within Cannon ftiot of us, they all three came to Counfel together, and 
we prepared to make a vigorous Defence, for it was too late for us now to 
flatter our felves with the hopes that they might be Friends \ the ftorm had 
hovered fo long, that it muft needs break at laft. I could not then but reflect 
upon my Luck, that I fhould be Shipwrack'd in the Harbour j for having been 
now almoft feven Years abfent out of Trance my Native Country^ when I 
thought my felf ( as it were ) found and fafe at Home again, I faw my felf 
upon the point of lofing at leall my Liberty. I made no doubt but that we 
Ihould be worfted-in the Engagement, where the Match was fo unequal. Hov/- 
ever, we were all in good heart, and I look'd upon the Ifles of Carrara and 
Gorgona, as two Theatres, wherein the Inhabitants were to behold (at eafe, 
and out of all danger) the engagement we were about to enter in, like Gla- 
diators deflined for their Diverlion ; for we were at an equal diftance from, 
both thefe Ifles. In the meantime we made all things ready, that were necef- 
fary for our Defence, aU the Chefl:s, Hamocks, and other Goods and Clothes 
that were in the Cabins, and upon the Gun- Deck, were carried aloft upon the 
Poop, that they might be no hindrance to the Traverfing of our Guns, and 
that produced a good effèd. For the Enemies being bulled in plundering them, 
were in the mean time killed, and befides, it hindered them from breaking 
in with their Hatchets to the Cabin where we were; which they mufl: have 
done to mailer us. A hole was made in the Floor of the Mafters Cabin to go 
down to the Gun- Room, and fo afl through the Ship, where there was occa- 
fion ; and in cafe the Enemies fliould have rendered themfelves Mailers of the 
great Cabin, we would quickly have got down into the Gun-Room, and ha- 
ving made fafl: the Paflage, blown up the Poop, and all that were upon it. 
The Main-yard was Chained to the Maft with a great Iron-Chain, which no 
Hatchet could eafily cut ; for i^ the Enemies could have brought the Main- 
yard upon the Deck, they would have made a great clutter in the Ship, and 
we (bould have been half overcome. All the Guns were Loaded, and the fix 
Scofa Copcrta Pieces were charged with bunches of Grapes, ( the fmall fliot, I 
mentioned before ). Water was put in all places of the Ship, to put out Fire, 
if \i fnould happen any where. All things being thus prepared, our Captain 
gave the neceflary Orders, then made a fiiort Speech to his Men, and gave them 
all a drachm of the Bottle,and then ail cried, God fave the Captain. So bidding 
one another farewel, every one went to his feveralPollj fometo the great 
Cabin, others to the Gun-Room, fome to che Gun Deck, and others to the 
Fove-Caille, there being a Man to command in every Poft: For my part, I 
An Eii-^age- ftayed with the Captain in the grCat Cabin. The Chirurgien went down into 
ment wiUi. the Hold, where he prepared his Medicines, and flayed to take care of the 
three Coi"- Wounded Men that fhould be brought down to him. After thefe Gentlemen 
furs. j^a^ bgen in Counfel almofl; two hours, their Boats carrying Men often from 
one to another, they came up with us. The Englifli Mate who fpoke French, 
told 
