The Commodore, hearing a report of strange sail being in sight, proceeded to Ciudadela with the _Leviathan_ and _Centaur_, and at daybreak on the 13th five sail were reported from the _Centaur’s_ masthead. An exciting chase was at once commenced. The strangers were large Spanish frigates, and they hauled their winds for Majorca. The _Leviathan_ returned to Ciudadela that evening. Captain Markham of the _Centaur_ set every stitch of canvas and continued the chase until the 14th, but he was completely outsailed by the Spaniards. He returned to Port Mahon on the day of the surrender, writing home that ‘the whole island is now in our possession, without loss of any kind.’ He received 884_l._ 6_s._ 8_d._ as his share of the capture of Minorca. The possession of Port Mahon, in a war with France and Spain combined, provided a base for the fleet whence the Spanish coast could be harassed and the approaches to Toulon watched and hindered. The _Centaur_ (Captain Markham) and _Cormorant_ (Captain Lord Mark Kerr) cruised along the coast of Catalonia, doing some damage to the enemy in February 1799. The ports of Cambrils and Salou, memorable as the places of embarkation of En Jayme I. and his successors, received unpleasant visits: the guns on the fort at Cambrils were dismounted, and a large Spanish frigate was driven on shore and became a wreck. The _Centaur_ and _Cormorant_ passed April at Port Mahon, and in May Lord Mark Kerr received orders to take home General Stuart and his staff. In the end of the year Lord Keith had arrived with eleven ships of the line, as second in command to Lord St. Vincent, and continued the blockade of Cadiz. The Commander-in-Chief, owing to ill-health, was living on shore at Gibraltar. Suddenly the news arrived that Lord Bridport had allowed the French fleet of twenty-five sail of the line, commanded by Admiral Bruix, to give him the slip from Brest. On May 4 the French fleet came in sight of Lord Keith, who formed in line and offered battle. But a gale of wind was blowing, and Bruix bore up for the Mediterranean. Keith came to Gibraltar to report the great event to Lord St. Vincent, and the old veteran at once hoisted his flag on board the _Ville de Paris_ and took command, ill as he was. Taking Lord Keith under his orders, he proceeded with the fleet to Port Mahon, the object being to engage the enemy and prevent him from getting into Toulon.