8 at
night
We gave 'em a Huzza and a half in derision , and our Trumpet and Hautboy were for striking up the Rogue 's March ; but this was forbidden by the Sagacious Captain Blokes . Some English ships now hove in sight , and saluted the Dutch Commodore ; and afterwards we , though with an ill grace , saluted his Worship to welcome in sight of the land , which by right belongs to the Rats -LRB- though I have little doubt that for all the Vandykes and Vandams the long-whiskered Gentry will come to their own again some of these fine days -RRB- . As soon as they got over the Bar the Dutchmen fired all their guns for joy at their safe arrival in their own country , which they very affectionately call Fatherland ; and , indeed , it was not easy under these circumstances to be angry with the Poor Souls that had been so long at Sea , and wandering about Strange Lands . At 8 at night we came to an anchor in 6-fathom water , about 2 miles off shore . On the 24th , in the morning , the Dutch Flag-ship weighed , in order to go up to the unlivering place . In the afternoon Captain Blokes sent me ashore , and up to Amsterdam , with a letter for our Owners ' Agents , to ask how we were to act and proceed from hence . Coming back with instructions from the Agent -LRB- one Mr. Vandepeereboom , who made me half-fuddled with Schiedam drinking to our prosperous return ; but he was a very Civil Gentleman , speaking English to admiration , and had a monstrous pretty Housekeeper , with eyes as bright as her own Pots and Pans -RRB- , by Consent of our Council we discharged such men as we had shipped at Batavia and the Cape , and sold the half-dozen Negroes we had from time to time picked up for about a Hundred Dollars apiece .