Be this as it will, we sailed
from Jamaica, and, in ten days or a fortnight, beat up against the
wind as far as the Isle of Vache, with an intention, as was said,
to attack the French fleet, then supposed to be lying near that
place; but before we arrived, they had sailed for Europe, having
first dispatched an advice-boat to Carthagena, with an account of
our being in those seas, as also of our strength and destination.
We loitered here some days longer, taking in wood and brackish
water, in the use whereof, however, our admiral seemed to consult
the health of the men, by restricting each to a quart a day.
At length we set sail, and arrived in a bay to the windward of
Carthagena, where we came to an anchor, and lay at our ease ten
days longer. Here, again, certain malicious people took occasion to
blame the conduct of their superiors, by saying, that in so doing
they not only unprofitably wasted time, which was very precious,
considering the approach of the rainy season, but also allowed the
Spaniards to recollect themselves from a terror occasioned by the
approach of an English fleet, at least three times as numerous
as ever appeared in that part of the world before. But if I might
be allowed to give my opinion of the matter, I would ascribe this
delay to the generosity of our chiefs, who scorned to take any
advantage that fortune might give them even over an enemy.
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