Page 437
An.1687
A fierce Storm.
kindly entertained by them. Their Boats also came aboard with their Merchandize to sell, and lay aboard all day; and if we did not take it off their hands one day, they would bring the same again the next.
We had yet the Winds at S.W. and S.S.W. mostly fair weather. In October we did expect the Winds to shift to the N. E. and therefore we pro- vided to sail (as soon as the Eastern Monsoon was settled) to cruise off of Manila. Accordingly we pro- vided a stock of Provision. We salted 70 or 80 good fat Hogs, and bought Yams and Potatoes good store to eat at Sea.
About the 24th day of September, the Winds shifted about to the East, and from thence to the N.E. fine fair weather. The 25th it came at N. and began to grow fresh, and the Sky began to be clouded ; and the Wind freshned on us.
At 12 a clock at night it blew a very fierce storm. We were then riding with our best Bower a head, and though our Yards and Top-mast were down, yet we drove. This obliged us to let go our Sheet Anchor, veering out a good scope of Cabie, which stopt us till 10 or 11 a clock the next day. Then the Wind came on so fierce, that she drove again, with both Anchors a head. The Wind was now at N. by W. and we kept driving till 3 or 4 a clock in the afternoon: and it was well for us that there were no Islands, Rocks, or Sands in our way, for if there had, we must have been driven upon them. We used our utmost endea- vours to stop her, being loath to go to Sea, be- cause we had 6 of our Men ashore, who could not get off now. At last we were driven out into deep Water, and then it was in vain to wait any longer: Therefore we hove in our Sheet Cabie, and got up our Sheet Anchor, and cut away our best Bower, (for to have heav'd her up then would have