"Pray excuse me, Commodore," replied the steward, "but I am reserving the only two which remain for the Captain of the galleon." No one, not even the steward, doubted of success! Anson well understood how to secure it, and the efficiency of his men compensated for their reduced numbers. The struggle was hot, the straw mats which filled the rigging of the galleon took fire and the flames rose as high as the mizen mast. The Spaniards found the double enemies too much! After a sharp contest of two hours, during which sixty-seven of their men were killed and eighty-four wounded, they surrendered. [Illustration: Fight between the _Centurion_ and a Spanish galleon. (Fac-simile of early engraving.)] It was a rich prize, 1,313,842 "pieces of eight,"[1] and 35,682 ounces of ingot silver, with other merchandise of little value in comparison with the money. This booty, added to others, amounted to nearly 400,000_l_, without taking into account the vessels, goods, &c., of the Spaniards which the English squadron had burnt or destroyed, and which could not be reckoned at less than 600,000_l_. [Footnote 1: A Spanish coin, so called, because it represents the eighth of a doubloon, it is worth about nine shillings English money.] Anson convoyed his prize to the Canton River, where he sold it much below its value, for 6000 piastres. He left on the 10th of December, and reached Spithead on the 15th of June, 1744, after an absence of three years and nine months. He made a triumphal entry into London. The half-million of money, which was the result of his numerous prizes, was conveyed through the city in thirty-two chariots, to the sound of trumpets and beating of drums and amidst the shouts of the people. The money was divided between himself, his officers, and men; the king himself could not claim a share. Anson was created rear-admiral shortly after his return, and received important commands. In 1747, he captured the Marquis of La Jonquiere Taffanel, after an heroic struggle. For this exploit, he was made First Lord of the Admiralty and Admiral. In 1758, he covered the attempted descent of the English near St. Malo, and died in London a short time after his return. CHAPTER II. CAPTAIN COOK'S PREDECESSORS. I. Roggewein--The little that is known of him--The uncertainty of his discoveries--Easter Island--The Pernicious Islands--The Baumans--New Britain--Arrival in Batavia--Byron--Stay at Rio Janeiro and Port Desire--Entrance into Straits of Magellan--Falkland Islands and Port Egmont--The Fuegians--Mas a Fuero--Disappointment Islands--Danger Islands--Tinian--Return to Europe.