Hither then we resolved to go; and, accordingly, though after atedious course, and very much straitened for provisions, we camewithin sight of the coast very early in the morning; and uponreflection on the past circumstances of danger we were in, weresolved to put into a small river, which, however, had depthenough of water for us, and to see if we could, either overland orby the ship's pinnace, come to know what ships were in any portthereabouts. This happy step was, indeed, our deliverance: forthough we did not immediately see any European ships in the bay ofTonquin, yet the next morning there came into the bay two Dutchships; and a third without any colours spread out, but which webelieved to be a Dutchman, passed by at about two leagues'distance, steering for the coast of China; and in the afternoonwent by two English ships steering the same course; and thus wethought we saw ourselves beset with enemies both one way and theother. The place we were in was wild and barbarous, the peoplethieves by occup