Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/301

Rh once more in the waters of the South Sea, in command of the ship Saint George, intent on capturing the treasure galleon from Acapulco. After taking two vessels whose cargoes were of little value he sighted the treasure ship. Hoisting the Spanish colors he sailed close up to her and opened fire. A prisoner on board the pirates' vessel counselled them to board at once, during the confusion caused by the first volley; but there was a difference of opinion among the officers, and while the matter was yet under discussion the galleon's heavy guns were brought to bear on the craft of the corsairs with such effect that they were glad to escape in their sinking vessel. During the same year one Captain Clipperton, who accompanied that famous adventurer, separated from him when off the eastern coast of Mexico, and with a vessel of ten tons, mounting only two pieces of cannon, defied the town of Realejo, and captured two Spanish ships which lay there at anchor, one of which contained treasure to the value of four thousand pesos.

Five years later certain wealthy merchants of Bristol fitted out two vessels for a "voyage of discovery and profit," the explorations to be extended to the oceans on either side of the American continent, and the profit to be derived from the pillage of Spanish settlements and Spanish treasure ships. Two vessels were chartered, the Duke and the Duchess, well armed and equipped, having on board a complement of about three hundred and thirty men, and carrying commissions from the king's consort and lord high admiral of England to attack and plunder the Spaniards and French on the coasts of Peru and Mexico. Captain Woodes Rogers was placed in command, and among other officers was William Dampier, though now in a subordinate position. It was a motley crew that sailed from Cork harbor on the 27th of August 1708 to undertake the circumnavigation of the world. There were on board tailors, pedlers, tinkers, fiddlers,