about noon
When that provision fails , I have heard they live on Seaweed . We being , so to speak , in charge , although unwillingly , of the Dutch Squadron , which had been willy-nilly our Convoy , were compelled to put into a port of Holland instead of into a British one , as we had fondly hoped . On the 23rd July the Dutch Commodore made a signal for seeing Land , and the whole fleet answered him with all their colours . The Pilot-boat coming off , we took two aboard , and about noon parted with some of our Dutch Consorts that were Rotterdam and Middleburg ships . 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 .