Indeed, the ship was in good repair and fit for the
sea; but as the whole number on board our squadron did not amount to the
complement of a fourth-rate man-of-war, we found it was impossible to
divide them into three ships without rendering them incapable of
navigating in safety in the tempestuous weather we had reason to expect
on the coast of China, where we supposed we should arrive about the time
of the change of the monsoons. These considerations determined the
Commodore to destroy the Trial's prize and to reinforce the Gloucester
with the greatest part of her crew. And in consequence of this resolve,
all the stores on board the Trial's prize were removed into the other
ships, and the prize herself, with the Carmelo and Carmen, were prepared
for scuttling with all the expedition we were masters of. But the great
difficulties we were under in laying in a store of water, together with
the necessary repairs of our rigging and other unavoidable occupations,
took us up so much time, and found us such unexpected employment, that it
was near the end of April before we were in a condition to leave the
place.
During our stay here there happened an incident which proved the means of
convincing our friends in England of our safety, which for some time they
had despaired of and were then in doubt about. From this harbour of
Chequetan there was but one pathway, which led through the woods into the
country. This we found much beaten, and were thence convinced that it was
well known to the inhabitants.
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