
Next morning many of the inhabitants waited on the commodore to thank
him for his assistance, frankly owning that they could never of
themselves have extinguished the fire.  Captain Anson's conduct on this
occasion greatly assisted him in his subsequent proceedings with the
timid and treacherous Chinese.

His great object was now to sail for England before the enemy should
gain intelligence of the wealth carried in the _Centurion_.  Having
disposed of the galleon for six thousand dollars, much below her real
value, Captain Anson set sail from Macao on the 15th of December, 1743.
Having touched at Prince's Island in the Straits of Sunda, he anchored
in Table Bay, at the Cape of Good Hope, where he remained until the 3rd
of April, 1744, when he sailed for England.

Speaking a ship on the way, he learned that war had broken out between
the English and French.

A careful look-out was kept to avoid the enemy, and on the 15th of June,
to the infinite joy of all on board, the ship came safely to an anchor
at Spithead.  Captain Anson there learned that a French fleet was
cruising in the chops of the Channel, and, from the account of their
position, he found that the _Centurion_ had run right through it, but
had, during the time, been concealed by a thick fog.

The return of the expedition, although with sadly-diminished numbers,
caused general joy throughout the country.  The treasure taken from the
galleon was carried through the streets to the Tower in thirty-two
waggons, attended by a large procession.  The voyage thus happily ended
had occupied three years and nine months.  Had the ships been properly
fitted out, and supplied with efficient crews, most of the disasters
which had attended the expedition would have been avoided.  At the same
time the intrepidity and prudence of the commodore, and the unflinching
perseverance and courage displayed by the seamen, are worthy of all
admiration, and make the expedition of the _Centurion_ one of the most
notable of voyages.



CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

VOYAGES OF CAPTAIN COOK--