VA.
WILLIAM L. CLEMENTS
SOUNS SY RIVIERE








Nichols, Philip
H. 1562
STC 18544

Sir Francis Drake
Reuiued :
Calling vpon this Dullor Effeminate Age,
to folowe his Noble Steps for Golde & Siluer,
By this Memorable Relation, of the Rare Occurrances
(neuer yer declared to the World) in a Third Voyage,
made by him into the Welt-Indies in the Yeares 72. & 73.
when Nombre de Dios was by him and 52. others
only in his Company, ſurpriſed.
Faithfully taken out of the Reporte of M. Chriſtofer Ceely
, Ellis
Hixon, and others who were in the ſame Voyage with hin.
By Philip Nichols, Preacher.
Reviewed alſo by St. Francis Drake himſelfe before his Death,
& Much holpen and enlarged, by diuers Notes, with his owne
hand here and there laſerted.
Ser forth by Sr Francis Drake Baroncs
(his Nephew) now liuing.
DI VINO
AVXILLO
SIC PAVIS MAGNA
LONDON
Printed by B. A. for Nicholas Bourne dwelling at the
South Entrance of the Royall Exchange. 16 2 6.

poate
Occadatto qy anillo
torstva
150
99
Sot
od sa gnilobamos
ad1

rural
anno
TO THE HIGH AND
MIGHTY, CHARLES THE
FIRST, OF GREAT BRIT A INE, o
FRANCE AND IRELAND KING,
All the bleſſinges of this, and
a berter Life.
Moſt gracious Souer aigne,
ya shamp Hat this briefe Treatiſe is yours,
both by right & by ſucceſſion,
will appeere by the Authors &
Actors enſuinge Dedication :
To prayſe either the Mifris or the Ser-
uanr, mighit iuftly incurre the Cenſure of
Quis eos unquam fanus vituperauit, eithers
worth hauing ſufficiétly blazed theirfame.
This Preſent looſeth nothing, by glan-
cing on former actions and the obſeruation
of paſſed aduentures, may probably ad-
uancage future imployments. Caſar wrote
Az
his

The Epiſtle.
his owne Commentaries, and this dooer
was partly the Indicor: Neither is there
wanting liuing teſtimony to confirme its
truth. For his fake then, cheriſh what's
good, &I ſhall willingly entertaine check
for what's amiſſe. Your fauourable accep-
tance, may incourage my Collecting of
more neglected Noates:how-euerthough
Vertue (as Lands) be notinheritable, yet
hath he left ofhis Name, one that reſolues
and therein joyes to approoue him-felfe
Your moſt humble
and loyall Subje&,
Francis Drake

M
The Dedicatory Epiftle, intended to Elizabela
Written by Sr. Francis Drake, deceaſed.
Torhe Queenes moſtexcellent Maieſtie,
my Moſt dread Soueraigne.
Adam», ſeeing diuers baue di-
uerſly reported, and written, of
theſe voyages and actions which
F baue attempted and made, cue-
ry one endeuoring to bring to light, whatſoeuer
inklings or coniectures they haue had; u bereby
many untrutbes baue bene publiſhed, and the
certaine truth concealed: as I have thought it
neceſſary my felfe, as in a Card to pricketbe
principall Points of the counſailes taken, at-
tempts made,&
fuccefſe had during the whole
courſe of my imployment in theſe ſeruices de
gainſt the Spaniard, not as ſetting Jayle, for
maintainnig my reputatio in mens iudgement,
but onely as ſitting at Helme if occation ſhall
be, for condutting the like a£tions hereafter:
SoFhaue accounted it my duty, to preſent this
Diſcourſe to your Matic as of right, either for
it felfe,
A3

The Epiſtle to Qu. Elizabeth.
it felfe, being the
firſt fruits of your ſeruants
Pen, or for the matter, being ſeruice done to
your Mas. by your poore vafjall againſt your
great enemy, at ſuch times, in ſuch places, and
after ſuch forte, as may ſeeme ſtrange to thoſe,
that are not acquainted with the whole cariage
thereof: but will be a pleaſing remembrance
to your Highneſſe, who take th’aparent height
of thalmighties fauour towards you, by theſe
euents, as trueſt inſtruments, humbly ſubmit-
ting my felfe to your Gracious cenſure, both
in writing a preſenting: that poſterity be not
deprived of ſuch help, us may, happily be gay-
ned hereby, and our preſent age(
at leaſt) may
be ſatisfied, in the rightfulnes of theſe actions,
which bitherto haue beène ſilenced, and your
Seruant's labour not ſeeme altogether loft, noe
onely in Trauell by Sea and Land, but alſo in
mriting the Reports thereof, a porke tahim na
leße troubleſome, yet made pleaſant and ſweet,
in that it bach beene, is, and ſhall be for your
Males content, to mhonie haue denoted me
solfe, lue or dye. Francis Drake.
Jan. 1. 1592

Tabletoto
TO THE
THE COVRTEOVS
R E A D E R.
Oneft Reader, without Apologie I.
deſire thee in this infuing Diſcourſe;
to obſerue with me the power and I
Slice of the Lord of Hoftes, poho
could enable ſo meane a perſon, ta
right bimſelfe ppon fo mighty a
Prince, together with the goodneſſe
and Prouidence of God very obferuable
, in that it pleaſed
him to raiſe this man, not onely from a loro condition, but
enten
from the State of perfecution : bis father
ſuffered in it,
being forced tofly from bis houſe (neere Soub Tauiſtocke
in Deuon ) into Kent, and there to inhabit in the Hull
of a Shippe, wherein many of his younger
fonnes were borne:
bee had twelue in all, and as it pleaſed God to giue moff
of them a being upon the water, ſo the greateſt part of them
dyed at Sea : the youngest, who though hee were as
farre as any, get dyed at home, whoſe posterity inherits
that, which by bimſelfe, and this Noble Gentleman the
eldeſt brother, was hardly yet wortbily gotten. I could
largely acquaint thee, that this voyage was bis
tbird
more
U

To the Curteous Reader.
third be made into the Weft-Indies, after that bis excel-
lent ſeruice both by Sea and Land in Ireland, under
Walter Earle of Eſſex ; his next about the World: Ano-
eber wherein bee tooke Saint Iago, Carthagena, Saint
Domingo, Saint Auguftino, bis doings at Cadiz,
beſides the firft Carricke taught by him to Jayle into En-
gland, bis ſtirrings in eigty Jeauen, bis remarquable
actions in eighty eight, bis endeautours in the Portingall
imployment , bis laſt enterpriſe determined by death, and
bis filling Plimouth with a plentifull
ftreame of freſh wa-
ter ; but I paſſe by all theſe, I had rather thou ſhouldesi
enquire of others, then to ſeeme my ſelfe a paine-glorious
man. I intende not his praiſe, Iſtriue onely to ſet out the
prayſe of his and our good God, that guided him in bis
truth, and protected bim in his courſes : my ends are
to ftirre thee up to the worſhip of God, and feruice of
our King and Countrey by bis example : if any thing bee
worth thy conſideration, conclude with me, that the Lord
onely can doe
great tbings.
FRANCIS DRAKE,

I
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE
REVIVED:
Calling vpon this Dull or Effeminate
Age, to follow his Noble Steps for
Gold and Silucr.
JOUS
S there is a generall vengeance,
which ſecretly purſueth the
doers of wrong, and ſuffereth
them not to proſper, albeit no
man of purpoſe cmpcach them:
ſo is there a particular indigna.
tion, engraffed in the boſome
of all that are wronged, which
ccaſeth not fecking by all
mcanes poflible to redreſſe or
remedy the wrong receiaed. In ſomuch as thoſe great
and mighty men, in whome their proſperous cftate
hath bred ſuch an ouer-weening of themfelues, that
they doc not only wrong their inferiors, but deſpiſe
them being injured;ſeeme to take a very vnfit courſe for
their owne ſafety and farre vnfitter for their reſt. For as
Efope teacheth, cuen the Fly hath her ſpleene,& the Em-
met is not without her choller,and both together many
B
times
2
Sir Francis Drake

times finde meanes whereby though the Eagle lay her
egges in Iupiters lappe, yet by one way or other, ſhee
eſcapeth not requitallof her wrong done the Emmet.
Among the manifold examples hereof, which for-
mer ages haue committed to memory, or our time
yeelded to ſight: I ſuppoſe, there hath not beene
any,
more notable then this in hand : either in reſpect of the
greatneſſe of the perſon, by whom the firſt injury was
offered; or the meanneſſe of hin, who righteth himſelf:
the one being (in his owne conceit) the inightieſt Mo-
narch of all the world: the other an Engliſh Captaine,
a meane ſubiect of her Maieſties. Who (beſides the
wrongs receiued at Rio de Hacha with Captaine Iohn Lo-
uell in the yeares 65 and 66.) hauing beene greiuofly in-
damaged at Saint Iobn de Vliwa in the bay of Mexico, with
Captaine Iohn Hawkins, in the yearés 67. and 68. not.
onely in the loſſe of his goods of ſome value, but alſo of
his kinſmen & friends, and that by the fallhood of Don
Martin Henriquez then the viceroy of Mexico, and find-
ing that no recompence could bee recouered out of
Spaine, by any of his owne meanes, or by her Ma-
ieſties letters: hee vſed ſuch helpes as hee might, by two
feuerall voiages into the Weſt Indies: the firſt with two
Ships the one called the Dragon, the other the Swan, in
the yeare 70. the other in the Swan alone in the yeare 71.
to gaine ſuch intelligences, as might further him , ito
get fomeamends for his loſſe. And hauing, in thoſe
two voyages, gotten ſuch certaine notice of the perſons
& places aimed at, as he thought requiſite, and there-
vppon with good deliberation reſolued on a third
voyage( the deſcription whereof we haue now in hand)
hee accordingly prepared his ſhippes and Company,
and then taking the firſt opportunity of a good
winde;

Reuiued.
3
winde, had ſuch ſucceſſe in his proceedings, as now
followes farther to be declared. biarlo
On Whitſunday Eeule being the 24. of May in the May 24.
yeare 1572. Captaine Drake in the Pafcha of Plimouth 1572.
of 70. tonnes his Admirall, with the Swanne of the
ſame Port of 25. tonnés his Vice-Admirall, in which
his brother John Drake was Captaine (hauing in both of
them of men and boyes ſealenty three, all voluntarily
aſſembled, of which the eldeſt was fifry, all the reſt
vnder thirty : fo deuided that there were forty feauen in
the one ſhip, and twenty fix in the other : both richly
furniſhed, with vi&tualles and apparell for a whole
yeare:and no leſſe heedfully prouided of all manner of
munition, Artillery, Artificers , ſtuffe and tooles, that
were requiſite for ſuch a Man of warre in ſuch an at-
tempt, but eſpecially hauing three dainty Pinnaſes,
made in Plimouth, taken a funder all in peeces and
ſtowed aboard, to be ſet vp as occaſion ferued :) ſet
fayle from out of the Sound of plimcuth, with intent
to landat Nombre da Dios. 1970 sorgot to
The winde continued proſperous and fauorable at
Northeaſt, and gaue as a very good paſſage, without
any alteration or change : ſo that albeit we had ſightof June 3.
Porto sa to, one of the Maderas, and of the Canaries alſo
within tweluc dayes of our ſetting forth : yet we neuer
ftrooke fayle, nor came to anchor, nor made any ſtay
for any cauſe , neither there nor elſewhere, vntill 25.
Iune 28.
dayes after;when we had fight of the Iland of Guada-
lupe, one of the Ilands of the Weſt Indies, goodly
high land.
The next inorning we entred between Dominica & Iune 29,
Guada'upe, where we deſcryed two Canoas comming
from a rockylland, three leagues off Dominica,
which
hadirol
B 2
vſually

4
Sir Francis Drake
Iuly 1.
July 6.
vfually repayre thither to fiſh, by reaſon of the great
plenry thereof, which is there continually to be found.
Wee landed on the South ſide of it, remaining there
three dayes to refreſh our men, and water our ſhips,
out ofone of thoſe goodly riuers, which fall downe
off the mountaine. "There we ſawe certainc poore cot-
tages, built with Palmito boughs and branches, but
no inhabitants at that time ciuillnor ſanage; the cot-
tages it may be, (for wecould know no certainc cauſe
of the ſolitarineſſe we found there ) ſeruing, not for con-
tin wall inhabitation, but only for their vſes that came
to that place at certaine feafons to fiſh.
The third day after, about three in the after-noone,
wee ſet ſayle from thence, towards the continent of
Terra firnas. And the fift day after, wee had ſight of
the high land of Santa Martha, but came not neere the
fhoare by ten leagues. But thence directed our courle,
fora place called by vs Port Phefant, for that our Cap-
raine had fo named it in his former voyage, by reaſon
of the great ſtore of thoſe goodly Fowles, which he
and his Company did then daily kill, and feed on, in
that place. In this courſe, notwithſtanding wee had
two dayes calme, yet within ſix dayes after we arriued
atour Port Phefant, which is a fine round Bay, of very
ſafe harbor for all winds, lying betweene two high
points, not paſt halfea cables length ouer at the mouth,
but within, eight or tenne cables length every way,
hauing ten or tweluc faddome water more or leffe,
full of good fiſh, the foyle alſo very fruitfull; which
may appeare by this, that our Captainc hauing beene
in this place, within a yeare and fewe dayes before,
and hauing ridde the place with many alleys and paths
made, yet now-all was ſa ouer-grown againe, as that we
doubted
July 12.

Reuiued.
5
doubted at firft, whither this
were the ſame place or no.
At our entrance into this Bay, our Captaine ha-
uing giuen order to his brother what to doe, if
any
occaſion ſhould happen in his abſence, was on his way,
with intent to haue gone aland, with fome fewe only
in his company, becauſe he knew, there dwelt no Spa-
niards within thirty fiue leagues of that place. Tolox be-
ing the neereſt to the Eaſtwards, and Nombre de Dios to
the weſtwards, where any of that Nation dwelt. But as
we were rowing a ſhoare, we ſaw a finoake in the woods,
cuen neere the place, which our Captaine had afore-
time frequented: therefore thinking it fit to take more
ſtrength with vs , he cauſed his other boat alſo to be
mand, with certaine muskets, and other weapons, fala
pecting ſome enemy had beenc a ſhoare. 10
When we landed, we found by euident markes, that
there had beene lately there, a certaine Engliſh man
of Plimouth, called Tohir Garret , who had beene condu-
cted thither by certaine Engliſh Mariners, which had
beene there with our Capta ine in ſome of his former
voyages. He had now left a plate of Lead, nailed faſt
to a mighty great tree ( greater then any foure men, joy-
ning hands,
could fathome about ; on which were en-
grauen theſe words, directed to our Capraine,
C
1044
Apraine Drake, if you foriume to come to this
Port, make haft away : For the Spaniards, which
you had with
here the laſt yeare,
have been
Wrayed this place, and taken away all that you left here.
I depart from hence, this preſent 7. of Iuly, 2573.
Your very louing friend
LOWN GARRIT.
3.
The
B

6
Sir Francis Drake
551911
The finoake which wee ſawe, was occationed by
a fire, which the ſaid Garret and his Company, had
made before their departure, in a very great tree (not
farre from this which had the lead nayled on it) which
had continued burning at leaſt fine dayes before our
arriuall.
This aduertiſement notwithſtanding, our Captaine
meant not to depart, before he had built his Pinnaſes,
which were yer aboard in peices, for which purpoſe
hee knew this Port, a moſt conuenient place. And
therfore aſſoone as we had moared our Ships, our Cap-
taine commanded his Pinnafes to be broughe alhore,
for the Carpenters to ſet vp, himſelfe employing all
his other company in fortifying a place, which he had
choſen out, as a moſt fit plot, of three quarters of
an acre of ground, to make ſome ſtrength or ſafety
for the preſent, as ſufficiently as the meanes he had
would afford; which was performed, by felling of great
trees, and bowſing and haling them together with
great Pulleis and halfers, vntill they were inclofed
water, and then letting others fall vpon them,
vntill they had raiſed with trees and boughes thirty
foot in height round about, leauing onely one gate
to iſſue at, neere the waters fide, which euery night
(that wee might ſleepe in more ſafety and ſecurity)
was ſhut vp, with a great tree drawne athwart it,
The whole plott was built in a Pentagonall forme,
to wit, of fiue equall ſides and angles, of which angles
two were toward the ſea, and that ſide between them
was left open, for the eaſie launching of our Pinna-
ſes: the other foure equall ſides were wholely (ex-
cepting the gate before mentioned ) firmely cloſed
vp. Without , inſteed of a trench, the ground was
ridd
to the
Reuiued. 12 T

ridd for fifty foote ſpace, round about. The reſt was
very thick with trees, of which inany were of thoſe
kindes, which are neuer without greene leaues, till
they are dead at the roote ( excepting onely one kinde
of tree amongſt thein, much like to our Aſh, which
when the funne commech right ouer them, cauſing
great raines, ſuddenly cafteth all their leaues , viz.
within three dayes, and yet within fix dayes after be-
comes all greene againe. The leaues of the other trees
doe alſo in part fall away, but ſo as the teees con-
tinue ftill greene notwithſtanding) being of a mar-
uelous height, and ſupported as it were with fiue or
fix naturall buttreſſes growing out of their bodies, ſo
farre, that three men may ſo be hidden in each of
them, that they which ſhall ſtand in the very next but-
treffe ſhall not be able to ſee them. One of thein ſpe-
cially was marked to haue had ſeauen of thoſe ſtaies
or buttreſſes, for the ſupporting of his greatnes and
height, which being meaſured with a line cloſe by the
barke and neere to the ground, as it was indented or
extant, was found to be aboue thirty nine yards about.
The wood of thoſe trees, is as heauy or heauier then
Brafill or Lingrum vitæ, and is in colour white.
The next day after wee had arriued, there came alſo Iuly 13.
into that bay, an Engliſh Bark of the Ile of wight, of
Sir Edwaad Horſeys, wherein James Rauſe was Captaine
and John Owery Maſter, with thirty men; of which, ſome
had beene with our Captaine in the ſame place the
yecre before. They brought in with them a spaniſ
Caruell of Siwell (which hee had taken the day before,
athwart of that place, being a Caruell of Aduiſo bound
for Nombre de Dios) and alſo one Sallop with Oares
which he had taken at Cape Blanck. This Captaine Raufe
voder
>

8
Sir Francis Drake
Tuly 20,
1
Iuly 22.
vnderſtanding our Captains purpoſe, was defirous
to ioyne in confort with him, and was receiued vp-
on conditions agreed onbetwene them.
Within feauen dayes after his comming, hauing fer
vp our Pinnaces, and diſpatched all our buſines, in
prouiding all things neceſſary, out of our ſhips into
our Pinnaces : wee departed from that harbrough, fer-
ting ſayle in the inorning towards Nombre de Dios, con-
tinuing our courſe till wee came to the Iles of Pinos:
where being within three dayes arriued, wee found
two Fregates of Nombre de Dios, lading planck and
tiinber from thence.
The Negroes which were in thoſe Fregates, gauc vs
ſome particuler vnderſtanding of the preſent ſtate of
the towne: and belides, tolde vs that they had heard a
report, that certaine fouldiers, ſhould come thither
Shortly, and were daily looked for, from the Go-
uernor of Panama and the countrey thereabout, to de-
fend the towne againſt the Symerons (A black people,
which about 80. yeares paſt, fledd from the Spaniards
their Maſters, by reaſon of their cruelty, and are fince
growne to a nation, vnder two Kings of their owne:
the one inhabiteth to the weſt, th other to the Eaſt of
the way from Nombre de Dios to Panama) which had
neere ſurpriſed it about ſix weekes before.
Our Captaine willing to vſe thoſe Negrocs well
(not hurting himſelfe ) ſet them aſhore vpon the maine,
that they might perhaps ioyne themſelues to their con-
trymen the Sumercns, and gaine their liberty if they
would, or if they would not , yet by reaſon of the
length and troubleſomnenes of the way by land to Nome
bre de Dios, hee might preuent any notice of his com-
ming, which they ſhould be able to giue. For hce was
Joath
Reuiued.

loath to put the towne to too much charge (which
hec knew they would willingly beſtowe) in proui-
ding before hand, for his entertainment, and there-
fore hee haftned his going thither, with as much ſpeed
and ſecrecy as poſibly hee could.
To this end, diſpoſing of all his companies, accor-
ding as they inclined moſt, hee left the three Ships
and the Caruell with Captaine Raufo, and choſe into
his foure Pinnaces (Captaine Raules Shallop made the
fourth) beſides fifty three of our men, twenty more of
Captaine Raufes company, with which hee ſeemed
competently furniſhed, to archeine what hee intended:
eſpecially hauing proportioned according to his
owne purpoſe, and our mens diſpoſition, their ſeue-
rall armes, viz. fix Targets, fix Firepikes, twelue Pikes,
Ewenty foure Muskets and Calliuers, fixteene Bowes,
and fix Partizans, two Drums, and two Trompets.
Thus hauing parted from our company: wee arri-
Iuly 28.
ued at the Iland of Cattuaas , being twenty fiue leagues
diftant; about fiuc dayes after, there wee landed all in
the morning betimes : and our Captaine trained his
men , deluering them their feuerall weapons and
armes, which hitherto hee had kept very faire and
ſafe in good caske: and exhorting them after his man-
ner, hee declared the greatnes of the hope of good
things that was there : the weaknes of the towne be-
ing vnwalled, and the hope hee had of prevailing to
recompence his wrongs, eſpecially now that hee
Should come with ſuch a crew, who were like minded
with himſelfe; and at ſuch a time, as hee ſhould bee
Veterly vndiſcouered. pas en
09 Therefore euen that afternoone, hee caufeth vs to
fet faile for Nombre de Dios, fo that before funne fer
с
90 31
IÒ
Sir Francis Drake

wee were as farre as Rio Franciſco: thence hee led vs
hard aboard the ſhore (that we might not bee
deſcried of the watch houſe ) vntill that being
come within two leagues of the point of the Bay
liee cauſed vs to ſtrike a hull, and caſt our grappers,
riding ſo vntill it was darke night.
Then wee waighed againe and ſet ſayle, rowing
hard aboard the ſhore, with aſımuch filence as wee
could, till wee recollered the point of the harbor vn-
der the high land: there wee ſtayed all ſilent, purpo-
ſing to attempt the townie in the dawning of the day,
after that wee had repoſed our ſelues for a while.
But our Captaine with ſome others of his beſt men,
finding that our people were talking of the greatnes
of the towne, and what their ſtrength miglit bee, ef
pecially by the report of the Negroes that wee tooke
at the Ile of Pinos: thought it beſt to put theſe con-
og yl ceits out of their heads, and therefore to take the op-
portunity of the riſing of the moone that night , per-
fuading them that it was the day dawning. By this
caſion we were at the towne a large hower ſooner then
firſt was purpoſed. For wee arriued there by three of
the clock after midnight: at what time it fortuned
that a Ship of Spaine , offixtie Tunnes , laden with Ca-
nary wines and other commodities, which had but
lately come into the Bay, and had not yet furld
her {prit-ſaile , eſpying our foure Pinnaces , being
an extraordinary number, and thoſe rowing with ma-
ny Oares z ſent away her Gundeloe towards the
towne, to giue warning: but our Captaine percei-
uing it, cut betwixt her and the towne, forcing her
to goe to th’other ſide of the Bay : whereby wee
landed without impeachment, although węc found
OC-
one

Reuiued.
one gunner vpon the platforme , in the very place
where wee landed, being a fandy pray and no key
at all, not paſt twenty yards from the houſes. ooit
There wee found fix great Peeces of braſſe Ordi-
nance, mounted vpon their cariages, fome Demy, ſome
whole Culuering: wee preſently diſimounted them, the
gunner fled, the towne tooke alarme ( being ve-
ry ready thereto, by reaſon of their often difquieting,
by their neere neighbours the Symerons ) as wee per-
ceiued, not onely by the noyſe and cries of the peo-
ple, but by the bell ringing out, and drums running
vp and downe the towne.
Our Captaine according to the directions which
hee had giuen ouer night, to ſuch as hee had made
choice of for the purpoſe , left twelue to keepe the
Pinnaſes, that wee might be ſure of a fafe retreat, if
the worſt befell. And hauing made ſure worke of the
platform e before hee would enter the towne, hee
thought beft, firſt to view the mount, on the Eaſt
ſide of the towne, where hee was informed, by fun-
dry intelligences the yeare before, they had an intent
to plant Ordinance, which might ſcoure round about
the towne. Therefore leauing one halfe of his com-
pany, to make a ſtand at the foote of the mount hee
marched vp preſently vnto the top of it, with all ſpeed
to try the truth of the report for the more ſafety. There
wee found no peice of Ordinance, but onely a very
fit place prepared for ſuch vſe, and therefore wee left
it without any of our men, and with all celerity re-
turned down the mount, Then our Captaine appoin-
ted his brother, with John Oxnam and fixteene other
of his men, to goe about, behinde the Kings treaſure-
houſe, and enter neere the Eafter end of the market-
place:
C 2

12
Sir Francis Drake
place: hiinfelfe with the reſt, would paffe vp the broad
ftreet, into the market place, with ſound of drum and
trompet.
The Firepikes diuided halfe to the one, and halfe
to th’other company, ſerued no leffe for fright to
the enemy, then light of our men, who by this ineanes
might diſcerne euery place very well, as if it were neere
day, whereas the inhabitants ſtood amazed at fo
frange a fight , maruelling what the matter might
bee, and imagining, by reaſon of our drums and
trompets founding in fo fundry places, that wee had
beene a farre greater number then wee were.
Yet by meanes. of the foldiers, which were in the
towne, and by reaſon of the tiine which wee ſpent in
marching vp and downe the mount, the foldiers and
the inhabitants had put themſelues in armes and
brought their companies in foine order, at the ſouth
eaſt end of the market place, neere the gouernors
houſe, and not farre from the gate of the towne, which
is only one , leading towards Panama , hauing (as
it ſcenes) gathered theinſelues thither, either that in
the gouernors fight they might ſhew their valor, if
it might preuaile, or elſe that by the gate, they might
beſt take their vale and efcape redieft.
And to make a ſhew of farre greater numbers of
ſhot, or elſe of a cuſtome they had, by the like de-
vice to terrify the Symerons , they had hung lines with
matches lighted, ouerthwart the weſter-end of the mar-
ket-place, betwene the church and the crofle, as though
there had beene in a readines fome company of
ſhort, whereas indeed there was not paſt two or
three that taught cheſe lines to dance, till they them-
felues. sanne away, affoone as they perceiued they
wete

Reuiued.
13
were diſcouered.
But the Souldiers and ſuch as were joyned with
them, preſented vs with a jolly hotte volue of ſhot,
bcating full vpon the egreffe of that ſtreete , ja which
we marched, and leuelling very lowe, fo as their bullets
oft times grazed on the fand. We ſtood not to anſwer
them in like tearmes; but hauing diſcharged our firſt
volly of thot, and feathered them with our arrowes
(which our Captaine had cauſed to be made of pur-
poſe in England, not great ſheafe arrowes, but fine ro-
uing ſhafts, very carefully referued for the ſeruice)
wee carne to the puſh of pike, ſo that our fire-pikes be-
ing well armed and made of purpofe , did vs very
great feruice. For our men with their pikes and ſhort
weapons, in ſhort time tooke ſuch order ainong theſe
gallants, fome vſing the but-end of their peeces in
ſtead of other weapons, that partly by reaſon of our
arrowes, which did vs there notable feruice, partly by
occaſion of this ſtrange and ſuddaine cloſing with
them , in this manner vnlooked for, and the rather for
that at the very inſtant, our Captaines brother, with
the other Company, with their fire-pikes, entred the
market place by th’eafter ſtreet : they caſting downe
their weapons, fled all out of the Towne by the gate
aforeſaid, which had beene built for a barre to keepe
out of the Towne the Symerons , who had often affai-
led it, but now ſerued for a gap for the Spaniards to fly
In following and returning, diuers of our men were
hurt , with the weapons which the enemy had let fall as
he fled : fornewhat, for that wee marched with ſuch
ſpeed, but more for that they lay ſo thicke and croſſe
on the other.
C3
Being
at.

14
Sir Francis Drake
fome
Being returned , we made our ſtand neere the midft
of the market place, where a tree groweth hard by the
Croſſc; whence our Captaine ſent of our men to ſtay
che ringing of the alarme Bell, which had continued
all this while : but the Church being very ſtrongly
built and faſt ſhut, they could not without firing (which
our Captaine forbad) get into the ſteeple where the
Bell hung.
In the meane time, our Captaine hauing taken two
or three Spaniards in their flighe, commanded them
to ſhew him the Gouernours houſe, where hee vnder-
ſtood was the ordinary place of vnlading the Moyles,
of all the treaſure which came from Panamah by the
Kings appointinent: Although the filuer only was kept
there : the gold, pearle and jewels (being there once
entred by the Kings Officer) was caried from thence
to the Kings treaſure-houſe not farre off, being a houſe
very ſtrongly built of lime and ſtone, for the ſafe kee-
ping thereof,
At our comming to the Gouernours houfe, wee
found the great dore (where the Moyles doe vfually
vnlade) euen then opened a Candle, lighted vpon the
top of the ſtaires; and a faire Gennet ready fadled , ei-
ther for the Gouernour himſelfe, or ſome other of his
houſehold to carry it after him. By meanes of this light,
we ſaw a huge heape of filuer, in that nether roome:
being a pile of barres of fluer, of as neareas we could
gueſſe ) feaventy foote in length of ten foot in breadth,
&tweluie foote in height,piled vp againſt the wall, each
barre was betweene thirty file and forty pound in
weight. At fight hereof our Captaine commanded
ſtraightly that none of vs ſhould touch a barre of filuer,
but ſtand vpon our weapons, becauſe the Towne was

Reuiued.
15
full of people, and there was in the Kings treaſure-houſe
neere the waters ſide, more gold and jewels then all
our foure Pinnaſes could carry, which wee would pre-
fently ſet fome in hand to breake open, notwithſtan-
ding the Spaniardsreports of the ſtrength ofit.
Wee were no ſooner returned to our ſtrength, but
there was a report brought by ſome of our men, that
our Pinnaſes were in danger to be taken, and that if we
our ſelues got not aboard before day, we ſhould be op-
preſt with multitude both of Souldiers and townes-
people. This report had his ground from one Diego a Ne-
gro, who in the time of the fiſt conflict came and called
to our Pinnaces to knowe whether they were Captaine
Drakes?& vpon anſwer received, continued intreating to
be taken aboard ( though he had firſt three or foure ſhot
made at him ) vntill at length they fetcht him, and lear-
ned by him, that not paſt eight dayes before our arri-
uall the King had fent thether fome hundred and fifty
Şouldiers to guard the Towne againſt the Symerons,
and the Towne at this time was full of people beſides :
which, all the rather beleeued, becauſe it agreed with
the report of the Negroes, which wee tooke before at
the Ile of Pinos : and therefore our Captaine fent his
brother and john Oxnam to vnderſtand the truth thereof.
They found our men, which we left in our Pinnaces,
inuich frighted, by reaſon that they ſawe gțeat Troops
and Companies running vp and downe, with matches
light, ſome with other weapons ; crying Que gente ? que
gente? which hauing not beene at the firſt conflict, but
comming froin the ytter ends of the Towne (being at
leaſt as bigge as Plimseth) came many times neere vs,
and vnderſtanding that we were Engliſh, diſcharged
their pecces and ran away.
Preſently
16
Sir Francis Drake

Preſently after this , a mighty ſhower of raine, with
a terrible forme of thunder and lightning, fell, which
powred downe ſo vehemently (as it vſually doth in
thofe Countries) that before we could recouer the ſhel-
cer of a certaine ſhade or pent-houſe, at the Wefter
end of the Kings treaſure-houſe (which ſeemeth to haue
beene built there of purpoſe to auoid Sunne and raine )
ſome of our bow-ftrings were wet, and ſome of our
match and powder hurt:which while we were carefull
of, to refurniſh and ſupply; diuers of our men, har-
ping on the reports lately brought vs, were muttering
of the Forces of the Towne, which our Captaine per-
ceiuing, told them, that he had brought them to the
mouth of the treaſure of the world, if they would want
it, they might henceforth blame no body but thein-
Telues. And therefore as ſoone as the ſtorme beganne
to afwage of his furye (which was a long halfe houre)
willing to giue his men no longer leaſure to demurre
of thole doubts, nor yet allow the Enemy farther reſ.
pit to gather theinfelues together: he ſtept foreward,
commanding his brother, with lohn Oxnam and the
Company appointed them , to breake the Kings Trea-
fureghouſethe reſt to follow him, to keepe the
ſtrength of the market place, till they had diſpatched
the buſineſſe for which they came.
But as he ftept forward, his ſtrength and fight and
ſpeech failed him, and he began to faint for want of
blood, which as then wee perceiued, had, in great
quantity , iſſued vpon the fand, out of a wound recei-
tied in his legge in the firſt encounter, whereby though
he felt ſome paine, yet ( for that hee perceiued diuers
of the Company, hauing already gotten many good
things, to be very ready to take all occafiolis, of win-
ding

Reuiued.
17
ding themſelues , out of that conceited danger) would
he not haue it knowne to any, till this his fainting,
againſt his will, bewrayed it; the blood hauing firſt
filled the very prints which our foote-ſteps made , to
the great dilinay of all our Company, who thought it
not credible, that one man ſhould be able to ſpare ſo
much blood and liue.
And therefore euen they, which were willingeſt to
haue aduentured moſt, for lo faire a booty, would in
no caſe hazard their Captaines life; but (hauing gi-
uen him ſomewhat to drinke wherewith he recouered
himſelfe, and hauing bound his Scarfe about his legge,
for the ſtopping of the blood) entreated him to bee
content to goe with them aboord, there to haue his
wound ſearched and dreſt, and then to returne a
ſhoare againe if he thought good.
This when they could not perſwade him vnto (as
who knew it ytterly time) impoſſible, at leaſt very vn-
likely, that euer they ſhould (for that) returne againe, time
to recouer the ſtate in which they now were: and was
of opinion, that it were more honorable for himſelfe,
to jeopard his life for fo great a benefit , then to leaue
off ſo high an enterpriſe vnperformed:) they joyned
altogether, and with force mingled with faire intreaty,
they bare him aboard his Pinnace, and ſo abandoned
a moſt rich ſpoile for the preſent, only to preferue
their Captaines life, as being refolued of him, that
while they enjoyed his preſence, and had him to com-
mand them, they might recouer wealth fufficient; buic
ifonce they loſt him, they ſhould hardly bee able
to recouer home, no not with that which they had got-
ten already WOTO
Thus wee embarqued by breake of the day , hauing Iuly. 29.
beſides

18
Sir Francis Drake
beſides our Captaine, many of our men wounded,
though none ſlaine but one Trumpetter: whereupon
though our Chycurgeons were buſily employed, in pro-
uiding remedies and falues for their wounds: yet the
our Captain maine care was reſpected by all the reft, ſo that before
we departed out of the Harbour for the more com-
fort of our Company, wee tooke the aforeſaid Ship
of Wines without great reſiſtance. But before we had
her free off the Hauen, they of the Towne had made
meanes to bring one of their Culuerins, which we had
diſmounted, ſo as they made a ſhot at vs, but hin-
dred vs not from carrying forth the prize to the Ile Ba-
ſtimientos, or The Ile of victualles; which is an Iland
that lyeth-without the Bay to the Weſtwards, about
a league off the Towne, where we ſtayed the two next
dayes, to cure our wounded men, and refreſh our
felues, in the goodly Gardens which we there found,
abounding with great ſtore of all dainty rootes and
fruites, beſides great plenty of Poultry and other
Fowles, no leſſe ſtrange then delicate.
Shortly, vpon our firſt arriuall in this Iland, the
Gouernour and the reſt of his aſſiſtants in the Towne.
(as wee afterwards vnderſtood') fent vnto our Cap-
taine a proper Gentleman of meane ſtature, good
complexion, and faire ſpoken, a principall Soul-
dier of the late ſent Garriſon, to view in what ſtate wee
At his comming hee proteſted he came to vs of
meere good will, for that wee had attempted, ſo
great and incredible a matter with ſo few inen: and
that at the firſt they feared that we had beene French,
at whoſe hands they knew they ſhould finde no mercy:
but after they perceiued by our Arrowes, that we were
Engliſhmen , their feare were the leſſe, for that they
knew
were,

Reuiued.
19
knew, that though we tooke the Treaſure of the place,
yet we would not vſe cruelty towards their perſons,
But albeit this his affection gaue him cauſe enough,
to come aboard ſuch, whoſe vertues fo he honoured,
yet the Gouernour alſo had not only conſented to his
comining, but directly fent him, vpon occaſion that
diuers of the Towne affirmed (faid hee) that they
knew our Captaine , who the laſt two yeares had beene
often on their coaſt, and had alwayes vſed their per-
fons very well. And therefore defired to knowe, firſt,
whether our Captaine were the ſame Captaine Drake
or no ? and next, becauſe many of their men were
wounded with our Arrowes, whether they were poy.
ſoned or no ? and how their wounds might beft be
cured? laſtly what victualles wee wanted, or other
neceffaries of which the Gouereour promiſed by
hiin to ſupply and furniſh vs, as largely as hee durft.
Our Captaine although he thought this Souldier but
a Spye: yet vſed him very curteouſly, and anſwered
him to his Gouernours deinands. That he was the ſame
Drake whome they meant: it was nelier his manner to
poyſon his Arrowes: they might cure their wounded
by ordinary Chirurgery : as for wants hee knewe the
Iland of Baſtimientos had ſufficient, and could furniſh
him if hee liſted: but hee wanted nothing but ſome of
that ſpeciall commodity, which that Countrey yeel-
ded, to content himſelfe and his Company. And
therefore hee aduifed the Gouernour to hold open his
eyes, for before he departed, if God lent him life and
leaue, he meant to reape fome of their Harueſt, which
they get out of the Earth, and fend into Spaine to trou-
ble all the Earth.
To this anſwere vnlooked for this Gentleman
D2
replycd
20
Sir Francis Drake

replyed: If he might without offence movie ſuch a que
ſtion, what ſhould then be the cauſe, of our departing
froin that Towne at this time, where was aboule three
hundred and ſixty Tunne of filuer ready for the Fleete,
& much more Goldein value, reſting in yron cheſts in the
Kings Treaſure-houſe? But when our Captaine had
ſhewed him the true cauſe of his viwilling retreat
aboord; he acknowledged, that we had no leſſe reaſon
in departing, then courage in attempting : and no
doubt did eaſily fee, that it was not for the Towne to
feeke reuenge of vs, by inanning forth ſuch Fregates
or other veſſels, as they had: but berter to content
themſelues and prouide for their owne defence. Thus
with great fauoir and courteous entertainement, be-
fides fuch gifts from cur Captaine as moſt conten-
ted himn : after dinner hee was in ſuch fort diſmiſſed; to
make report of that he had ſeene, that he proteſted, he
was neuer ſo much honored of any in his life.
After his departure, the Negroe forementioned;
being examined more fully, confirmed this report of
the gold and ſiluer , with many other intelligences of
importance, eſpecially how wee might haue gold and
filuer enough if we would, by meanes of the Symerons,
whome though hee had betrayed diuers times (being
vſed thereto by his Maſters ) ſo that he knew they would
kill him , if they gat him:yet if our Captaine would
vndertake his protection, hee durft aduenture his life,
becauſe hee knewe our Captaines name was moſt pre-
tious and highly honored of them.
This report miniſtred occaſion to further conſul-
tation : for which, becauſe this place ſeemned not the
ſafeſt ; as being neither the healthieſt nor quieteſt.
The next day in the morning wec all ſet our courſe
for.
Reuiued.
21

for the Ile of Pinxos or Port Plenty, where wee had
left our Ships, continuing all that day, and the text,
till towards night before wes recouered it. Wee
were the longer in this courſe, for that our Captain
ſent away
his brother and Ellis Hixon to the weſt-
ward, to ſearch the Riuer of Chagro , where himſelfe
had beene the yeare before, and yet was carefull to
gaine inore notice of: it being a Riuer which tren.
deth to the ſouthward, within fix leagues of Pand-
mah, where is a litle towne called Venta Cruz,
whence
all the treaſure, that was vfually brought thither from
Panams by Moyles, was imbarqued in Fregates, downe
that Riner into the North ſea, and fo to Nombre de
Dios. It ebbeth and Howeth not farre into the land,
and therefore it asketh three dayes rowing with a
fine Pinnace to pafle from the mouth to Verta Cruz,
but one day and a night feruerh to returne downe the
Riuer.
At our returne to our Ships, in our conſultation, Auguſt. 1
Captaine Rauſe forecaſting diuers doubts, of our ſafe
continuance vpon that coaft, being now diſcouered,
was willing to depart : and our Captaine no leſſe
willing to difiniſſe him: and therefore affoone as our
Pinnaces returned from chagro , with ſuch aduertiſe-
ments as they were fent for, about eight dayes be-
fore: Captaine Rauſe tooke his leaue, leauing vs in the Auguit. 7.
Ile aforeſaid, where wee had remained file or fix
dayes. In which meane tyme, hauing put all things
in a readines, our Captaine refolued, with his two
Ships and three Pinnaces to goc to Carthagene , whither
in fayling we ſpent fome 6, dayes, by reaton of the calmes
which came often vpon vs : but all this time wee at-
tempted nothing that wee might haue done by tire
Ways .
D3
32
Sir Francis Drake

way, neither at Tolow, nor otherwhere, becauſe wee
would not bee diſcouered.
Wee came to anchor with our two Ships in the
evening in ſeauen fadome water, betweene the Ilands
Auguſt 13.
of Chareſha and Saint Barnards : our Captaine led
the three Pinnaces , about the Iland, into the harbor
of Carthavene; where at the very entry, hee found a
Fregate at anchor, aboard which was onely one old
man ; who being demanded, where the reſt of his
company was? anſwered, that they were gone aſhoare
in their Gundeloe that euening, to fight about a mi-
ſtreſſe: and voluntarily related to our Captaine that
two houres before night, there paſt by them a Pinnace,
with ſayle and Oares, as faſt as euer they could row,
calling to him, whether there had not beene any
Engliſh or Frenchmen there lately? and vppon anſwere
that there had beene none: they bid thein looke to
themſelues: that within an houre, that this Pinnace
was come to the vtterſide of Carthagene, there were many
great Peeces ſhot off, whereupon one going to top,
to deſcry what might bee the cauſe? eſpied, ouer the
land, diuers Fregates and ſmall ſhipping, bringing
themfelues within the Caſtle.
This
report our Captaine credited, the rather, for
that himſelfe had heard the report of the Ordinance,
at ſea, and perceiued ſufficiently, that hee was now
deſcried: notwithſtanding, in farther examination,
of this old mariner, hauing vnderſtood, that there
was, within the next point, a great ſhip of Siuell,
which had here diſcharged her loading and rid now
with her yards a crofle, being bound the next mor-
ning for Saint Do 19ingo: our Captaine tooke this old
man into his Pinnace to verifie that which hee had
informed,

Reuiued.
22
informed, and rowed towards this Ship, which as
wee came neere it , hayled vs, asking whence our
Shallops were ? wee anſwered , from Nombre de Dios:
ſtraight way they raild and reuiled: wee gaue no heed
to their words, but euery Pinnace, according to our
Captaines order: one on the ſtarboord bough,
the
other on the ſtarboord quarter, and the Captaine in
the midſhip on the larboord ſide, forthwith boarded
her, though wee had ſome difficulty to enter,
by rea .
ſon of her height, being of two hundred forty Tunne.
But affoone as wee entred vpon the decks, we threwe
downe the grates and ſpardecks, to prevent the
Spaniards from annoying vs with their clofe fights :
who then perceiuing that wee were poffeffed of their
Ship, ſtowed themſelues all in hold with their wea-
pons, except two or three yonkers, which were found
afore the beetes: when hauing light out of our Pinna-
ces , wee found no danger of the enemy remaining,
wee cut their Cables at halſe, and with our three
Pinnaces, towed her without the Iland, into the
found right afore the Towne, without danger of
their
great ſhott.
Meane while, the Towne hauing intelligence here-
of, by their watch, tooke th’alarine, rong out their
Bels, 'ſhott off about thirty Peeces of great Ordi-
nance, put all their men in a readines horſe and foote,
came downe to the very point of the wood, and dif-
charged their Caliuers, to impeach vs if they might,
in going forth.
The next morning our Ships tooke two Fregats , in Auguſt 14.
which were two, who called themſelues the Kings
Scriuanos , the one of Carthagene , th’other of Veragua,
with ſcauen Mariners and two Negroes: who had
beene:

24
Sir Francis Drake
for him.
beene at Nombre de Dios and were now bound for C&
thagene , with double letters of aduiſe, to certifie them
that Captaine Drake had beene di Nombre de Dios, had
zaken it, and had it not becze that bee mas hurt with ſome
bleffed short, by all likelihood hee had facke it : hee was yet
ſtäll upon the Coaſt: they ſhould therefore carefully prepare
PARTS
After that our Captaine had brought all his fleet
together : at the Scriuanos entreaties, he was content
to doe thein all fauor, in ſetting them and all their
companies a ſhore, and ſo bare thence with the Ilands
of Saint Barnards, about three leagues off the Towne:
where wee found great ſtore of fiſh for our refreſhing.
Here our Captaine conſidering that hee was now
difcouered, ypon 2.ofthe cheefeſt places ofall the Coaſt,
and yet not meaning to leaue it, till hee had found
che Simerons, and made his voiage, as hee had con-
ceiued, which would require ſome length of time,& fure
manning of bis Pinnaces, hee dezerinined with him-
felfe, to burne one of his Ships, and make of the o-
ther a ſtorehouſe, thathis Pinnaces (which could noto-
therwiſe) might be throughly mand and ſo he might be
able to abide anytime. But knowing the affection of
his company, how loath they were to leave either
of their Ships, being both ſo good Sayiers and ſo well
furniſhed , hee purpoſed in himſelfe by ſome pollicy,
to inake them moft willing to effe&t that hee intended.
And therefore fent for one Thomas Moone (who was
Carpenter in the Swanne) and taking him into his
in Cabbin, chargeth him to conceale for a time, a peice
of feruice, which hee muſt in any cafe conſent to doe
abocrd his owne Ship: that was, in the middle of the
ſecond watch, to goe downe ſecretly into the well of
the

Reuiued.
25
the Ship, and with a great ſpike-gimlet , to boare
three hoales, as neere the keele as hec could, and lay
ſomething againſt it, that the force of the water en-
tring, might make no great noiſe, nor be diſcouered
by boyling vp: Thomas Moone at the hearing hereof
being vtterly diſipaied, deſired to knowe what cauſe
there might bee, to moue hiin to fincke fo-good a
Bark, of his owne, news, and ſtrong, and that by his
meancs,
who had beene in two ſo rich and gainefull
voyages in her with himſelfc heretofore: Ifhis bro-
ther, the Maſter, and the reſt of the company ſhould
knowe of fuch his fact, hee thought verily they would
kill him. But when our Captaine had imparted to
him his cauſes, and had perſwaded him with promiſe
that it ſhould not bee knowne, till all of thein ſhould
bec glad of it: hee vndertookc it, and did it accor-
dingly.
The next morning our Captaine tooke his Pinnace Auguß 15.
very early, purpoſing to goc a fiſhing (for that there is
very great ſtore on all the Coaſt ) and falling aboord
the Swanne, calleth for his brother to goe with him,
who riſing ſuddenly, anſwereth that hee would follow
preſently, or if it would pleaſe him to ſtay a very little
hee would attend him. "Our Captaine perceiuing the
feate wrought, would not haften him, but in rowing
away, demanded of them, why their Bark was ſo
deepe? as making no great account of it: but by occa-
Sion of this demand , his brother ſent one downe to the
Steward, to know whether there were any water in
the Ship? or what other cauſe might bee? The Stew-
ard haſtily ſtepping downe at his vſuall skuttle , was
wett vp to the waſte, and ſhifting with more haſ to
come vp againe as if the water had followed him, cryed
OLE

26
Sir Francis Drake
out that the Ship was full of water. There was no need
to haſten the company, fome to the pumpe, others to
ſearch for the leake, which the Captaine of the Bark
ſeeing they did on all hands very willingly, hee fol-
lowed his brother, and certified him of the ſtrange
chance befalne them that night, that whereas they
had not pumpt twiſe in ſix weekes before, now they
had fix foote water in hold: therefore hee deſireth
leale from attending him in fiſhing, to intend
the ſearch and remedy of the leake: and when our
Captaine with his company profered to goe to helpe
them, hee anſwered, they had men enough aboord,
and prayed him to continue his fiſhing, that they
might haue fome part of it for their dinner. Thus
returning, hee found his company had taken great
paine, but had freeed the water very little : yet ſuch
was their loue to the Barke (as our Captaine well
Pou knew) that they ceaſed not, but to the vtmoſt of
their ſtrength, laboured all that they might till three
in the afternoone : by which time, the company per-
ceiuing, that though they had beene relieued by our:
Captaine himſelfe and many of his company, yet they
were not able to free aboue a foote and a halfe of wa-
ter, and could haue no likelihood of finding the leake,
had now a leffe liking of her then before, and greater
content to hear of ſome means fot remedy:wherevpon
our Captaine conſulting with them what they thought
beſt to bee done: found that they had more deſire
to haue all as he thought fitt, then iudgement to con-
ceive any meanes of remedy. And therefore hee pro-
pounded, that himſelfe would goe in the Pinnace,
till hee could prouide him ſome hanfoine Fregate,
and that his brother ſhould bee Captaine In the ada
mirall,

Reuiued. 12
27
naces.
mirall, and the Maſter ſhould alſo bee there placed
with him, inſteed of this : which ſeeing they could
not faue , hce would haue fired, that th’enemy might
neuer recouer her: but firſt all the Pinnaces ſhould
bee brought aboord her, that euery one might take
out of her whatſoeuer they lackt or liked. This, though
the company at the firſt marueiled at, yet preſently
it was put in execution and performed that night: our
Captainc had his deſire, and men enough for his Pin-
The next morning, wee reſolued to feeke out ſome
Aug. 16.
fitt place, in the found of Darienne , where wee might
fafely leaucour Shipp at Anchor , not diſcoue.
rable by the enemy, who thereby might imagine vs
quite departed from the Coaſt, and wee the meane
time better follow our purpoſes with our Pinnaces;
of which our Captaine would himſelfe take two to
Rio Grande, and the third leaue with his brother to
feeke the Symerons.
Vpon this reſolution, wee fet faile preſently for Aug. 21.
the faid ſound: which within fiue dayes wee recoue-
red, abſteining of purpoſe, from all ſuch occaſion,
as might hinder our determination, or bewray our
being vpon the Coaſt. Aſſoone as we arriued, where
our Captaině intended , and had choſen a fit
and conuenient road (out of all trade) for our pur-
poſe;wee repoſed our felues there, for ſome fifteene 1992
dayes , keeping our felues cloſe, that the brute of our
being vpon the Coaſt might ceaſe. baranate
But in the meane time wee were not idle: for be-
ſides ſuch ordinary workes, as our Captaine euery
month did vſually enute vs to, about the trimming
and fitting of his Pinnaces, for their better ſayling
and
E2

28
Sir Francis Drake
and rowing: hee cauſed vs to ridd a large plot of
ground , both of Trees and brakes and to build vs hou-
ſes, fufficient for all ourlodging, and one eſpecially for
all our publique ineetings; wherein the Negroe which
fled to vs before did vs great ſeruice, as being well
acquainted with the Country, and their meanes of
building. Our Archers made themſelues Butts to
ſhoot at, becauſe wee had inany that delighted in that
exerciſe, and wanted not a Fletcher to keepe our
Bowes and Arrowes in order. The reſt of the com-
pany, euery one as hee liked beft, made his diſport
at Boules, Quoits , Keiles , &c. For our Captaine al-
lowed one halfe of their company to pafle their time
thus
, euery other day interchangeably, the other
halfe being enioyned to the neceſſary workes, about
our Ship and Pinnaces, and the prouiding of freſh
victuall, Fiſh, Foule , Hogs , Deere, Conies , &c.
whereofthere is great plenty. Here our Smithes ſet
vp their Forge, as they vſed, being furniſhed out of
England, which Anuill, Iron, Coales, and all manner
of neceſſaries, which food vs in great ſteed.
Septemn, 5. At the end of theſe fifteene dayes, our Captaine
leauing his Ship in his brothers charge, to keepe all
things in order; himſelfe tooke with him, according
to his former dete rmination, two Pinnaces for Rio
Gyand, and paling by Carthagene, but out of ſight,
Septem. 8. when wee were within two leagues of the Riuer, wee
landed to the weſt wards on the maine, where we ſawe
great ſtore of Cattle. There wee found ſome India
ans, who asking vs in freindly ſort, in broken Spa-
milh, what wee would haue, and vnderſtanding that
wee deſired freſh victuals in traffick; they tooke fuch:
Cattle for ys, as, wee needed, with cafe and ſo rea-
dily,

Reuiued.
29
dily, as if they had a ſpeciall Commandment ouer
them, whereas they would not abide vs to come neere
them: And this alſo they did willingly, becaufe our
Captaine (according to his cuſtome)
contented then
for their paines, with ſuch things as they account great-
ly of, in ſuch fort that they promiſed, we ſhould haue
there of them at any time, what we would.
The ſame day wee departed thence to Rio grand
where wee entred about three of the clocke in the af
ter-noone. There are two entrings into this Riuer, of
which we entred the Weſterinoft called Boca chica. The
freſhet of this Riuer is ſo great, that we being halfe a
league from the mouth of it, filled freſh water forour
beuerage.
From three a clocke till darke night wee rowed vp
the ſtreame, but the current was fo ftrong downewards,
that we got but two leagues all that time. We moared
our Pinnaces to a tree that night : for that preſently
with the cloſing of the euening, there fell a monſtrous
ſhower of raine, with ſuch ſtrange and terrible claps
of thunder, and fathes of lightning, as made vs, not
a little to meruell at, although our Captaine had becne
acquainted with ſuch like in that Countrey, and told
vs that they continue, ſeldome longer then three quar-
ters of an houre. This ſtorme was no ſooner ceaſt, but
it became very caline, and therewith there came ſuch an
innumerable inultitude of a kind of Flies of that Coun-
trey called Muskitos (like our Gnats) which bite ſo
{pi tefully, that we could not reft all that night,nor find
me anes to defend ourſelues from them, by reaſon of
the heate of the Countrey: the beſt remedy wee chea
found againſt them, was the juyce of Lemmons.
At the breake of day we departed, rowing in the eddy,
and
E 3

30
Sir Francis Drake
Septemb.9. and haling vp by the trees where the eddy failed, with
great labor, by ſpels, without ceaſing, each Com-
pany their halfe houre glaſſe: without meeting any,
till about three a clocke afternoone, by which time
we could get but fiue leagues a head. Then we eſpied
a Canow with two Indians fiſhing in the Riuer: but
we ſpake not to them, leaſt fo wee might be deſcried :
nor they to vs, as taking vs to be Spaniards. But with-
in an houre after wee e pyed certaine houſes, on the
other ſide of the Riuer whoſe channell is twenty fiue
fathome deepe, and his bredth fo great , that a man can
ſcantly be diſcerned from ſide to ſide, Yer a Spaniard
which kept thoſe houſes, had eſpied our Pinnaces, and
thinking wee had beene his Countrey-men, made a
ſmoake, for a ſignall to turne that way, as being defi-
Tous to ſpeake with vs. After that, we eſpying this ſmoak,
had made with it, and were halfe the River ouer, he
wheaued vs with his hat,and his long hanging fleeues to
come afhoare: But as wc drew necrer vnto him, and he
diſcerned that we were not thoſe he looked for; he tooke
his heeles, and fled from his houſes, which we found to
be, fiue in number, all full of white Ruske, dryed Bacon,
that Country Cheeſe ( like Holland Cheeſe in faſhion,
but farre more delicate in taſte, of which they ſend into
Spagne as ſpeciall Preſents) many ſortes of ſweet Meats,
and Conferues; with great ſtore of Sugar: being pro-
uided to ferue the Fleet returning to Spayne.
With this ſtore of Viduals we loaded our Pinnaces,
and by the ſhutting in of the day we were ready to de-
part; for that we hafned the rather, by reaſon of an in-
telligence giuen vs by certaine Indian Women which
we found in thoſe houſes : that the Fregates ( theſe are
ordinarily thirty, or vpwards, which vſually tranſport
the

Reuiued.
31
the Marchandize ſent out of spajne to Carthagene, from
thence to theſe houſes,and ſo in great Canoas vp hence
into Nuevo Reyno, for which, the Riuer running many
hundreth leagues within the land ferueth very fitly, and
returne in exchange, the Golde and Treaſure, Siluer,
Victuals and Commodities, which that Kingdome yeil-
deth aboundantly:) were not yet returned from Carthaa
gene, ſince the firſt alarum they tooke of our being there.
As wee vere going aboord our Pinnaces from theſe
Store-houſes, The Indians of a great Towne called Villa Sept. 10.
del Rey ſome 2. mniles diſtant from the waters ſide where
wee landed, were brought downe by the Spaniards
into the buſhes, and ſhot their Arrowes; butwee row-
ed downe the ſtreame, with the current ( for that the
winde was againſt vs) onely one league, and becauſe
it was night, Anchored till the morning, when wee
rowed downe to the mouth of the Riuer, where wee
wnladed all our prouifions, and clenſed our Pinnaces,
according to our Captaines cuſtoine, and tooke it in
againe, and the farne day went to the weſtward.
In this returne, wce deſcried a Ship, a Bark, and
a Fregate, of which the Ship and Fregate went for
Carthagene, but the Bark was bound to the North-
wards, with the winde eaſterly, ſo that wee imagined
ſhe had ſome gold or treaſure going for Spaine : there-
fore wee gaue her chafe, but taking her, and finding
nothing of inportance in her , vnderſtanding that ſhe
was bound for Sugar and Hides, wee let her goe, and
hauing a good gale of winde, continued our former
courſe to our Ship and company.
In the way between Cartbagene and Tolou , we tooke Sept: 17.
fiue or ſix Fregates, which were laden from Tolou, with
liue Hogs , Hens and Maiz, which.wee call Guynie
Wheate:
32
Sir Francis Drake

wheate : of theſe hauing gotten what intelligence they
could giue, of their preparations for vs, and diuers
opinions ofvs, wee diſmiſſed all the men , only ſtaying
two Fregates with vs, becauſe they were ſo well ſtored
with good victuals.
Within three dayes after wee arrived at the place
which our Captaine choſe at firſt to leaue his Ship in,
which was called by our Company Port plenty, by rea-
Son we brought in thither continually all manner ſtore
of good victuals, which we tooke going that way by
Sea, for the victualling of Carthagene and Nombre de
Dios, as alſo the Fleetes going and comming out of
Spaine : ſo that ifwee had beene two thouſand, yea three
thouſand perſons, wee might with our Pinnaces ea-
fily haue prouided them fufficient victuall of Wine,
Meale, Ruske , Caſſauy, (a kinde of Bread made of a
roote called rucca, whoſe juyce is poyſon, but the ſub-
ſtance good and wholeſome ) dryed Beefe , dryed Fiſh,
liue Sheepe , liue Hogs, aboundance of Hens, beſides
the infinite ſtore of dainty freſh fiſh very eaſily to be ta-
ken euery day.Inſomuch that wee were forced to build
foure feliérall Magazines or ſtore-houſes, ſome tenne,
fome 20. leagues a funder, fome in Ilands, ſome in the
maine, prouiding our felues in diuers places, that
though the Enemy ſhould with force ſurprize any
one, yet wee inight be ſufficiently furniſhed, till wee
had made our voyage as we did hope. In building of
theſe, our Negroes helpe was very much, as hauing a
{peciall skill, in the ſpeedy erection of ſuch houſes.
This our ſtore was ſuch, as thereby wee releeued,
not onely our ſelucs and the Symerons, while they were
with VS, but alſo two French Ships in extreame want.
For in our abſence Captaine lohn Drake hauing one of
Reuiued.
33

our Pinnaces as was appointed, went in with the
maine, and as he rowed a loofe the ſhoare, where hee
was directed by Diego'che Negroe aforeſaid, which wil-
lingly came vnto vs at Nombre de Dios, hee elpyed cer-
taine of the Symerons , with whome he delt ſo effectual-
ly, that in conclufion he left two of our men with their
Leader, and brought aboard two of theirs : agreeing
that they ſhould meete him againe the next day, ata
River midway betweene the Cabezas and our Shippes,
which they named Rio Diegº.
Theſe two being very ſenſible men, choſen out by
their Commander, did with all reuerence and reſpect,
declare vnto our Captaine, that their Nation concei-
ued great joy of his arriuall, becauſe they knew him to
be an enemy to the Spaniards, not only by his late be-
ing in Nombre de Dios, but alſo by his former voyages,
and therefore were ready to affiſt and fauour his enter-
priſes againſt his and their Enemies to the vttermalt:
and to that end their Captaille and Company, did
ſtay at this prefent neere the mouth of Rio Diego, to at-
tend what anſwere and order ſhould be giuen them:
that they would haue marched by land, euen to this
place, but that the way is very long, and more trou-
bleſome, by reafon of many ſteepe Mountaines, deepe
Rivers and thicke brakes: defiring therefore, that it
might pleaſe our Captaine to take ſome order, as hee
thought beſt, with all conuenient ſpeed in this behalfe,
Our Captaine conſidering the ſpeech of theſe perfons,
and waighing it with his foriner intelligences had, not
only by Negroes but Spaniards alſo, whereof hee was
alwayes very carefull: as alſo conferring it with his
brothers informations of the great kindeneſſe, that
they ſhewed him being lately with them : after he had
F
heard
34
Sir Francis Drake

heard the opinions of thoſe of beſt ſeruice with him,
what were fitteſt to be done preſently : reſolued hmſelfe
with his brother, and the two Symerons, in his two
Pinnaces to goe toward this Riuer, as he did the fame
euening; giuing order, that the Shippe and the reſt
of his Fleer, fhould the next morning follow him, be-
cauſe there was a place of as great ſafety and fufficiency,
which his brother had found out neere the Riuer. The
fafety of it conſiſted, not only, in that which is com-
inon all along that coaſt from Tolow to Nombre de Dios,
being aboue ſixty leagues, that it is a moſt goodly and
plentifull Countrey, and yet inhabited not with one
Spaniard, or any for the Spaniards : but eſpecially
in that it lieth among a great many of goodly Ilands
full of Trees, where, though there be channels, yet
there are ſuch Rockes and ſhoales, that no man can
enter by night, vvithout great danger, nor by day
vvithout diſcouery, whereas our Ship might lye
hidden vvithin the Trees.
The next day.vve arriued at this Riuer appointed,
Sept. 14. vvhere vve found the Symerons according to promiſe :
the reſt of their number, vvere a mile vp, in a vvood
by the Riuers ſide. There, after vve had giuen them en-
tertainement, and receiued good teſtimonyes of their
joy and good vvill tovvards vs, vve tooke tvvo more
of them into our Pinnaces, leaning our two men vvith
the reſt of theirs, to march by land , to another Riuer
called Rio Guana, vvith intent there to meete vvith
another Company of Symerons, vyhich vvere novv in
the Mountaines. So vve departed that day from Rio
Diego, vvith our Pinnaces tovvards our Shippe, as
maruelling that ſhee follovved vs not as vvas appoin-
ted. une mot dobrylatolgad bowo
But

Reuiued.
35
But tvvo dayes after, vvee found her in the place Sept. 16.
vvhere vve left her, but in farre other ſtate, being much
ſpoiled and in great danger, by reaſon of a tempeſt
ſhe had in our abſence.com
As ſoone as vve could trimme our Shippe, being Sept. 18.
fome tyvo dayes, our Captaine fent avvay one of his
Pinnaces, tovvards the bottome of the Bay, amongſt
the ſhoales and fandy Ilands, to found out the
channell) for the bringing in of our Shippe neerer the
inaine.
The next day vvee follovved, and vvere ( vvith vvary Sept. 19.
pilatage, directed ſafely into the beſt channell, vvith
much adoe to recouer the Roade, among
fo
many
flats and ſhoales. It vvas neere about fiue leagues from
the Catiuaas , betvvixt an Iland and the maine, vvhere
vve inoared our Shippe. The Iland vvas not aboue
foure Cables length from the maine , being in quan-
tity ſome three Acres of ground, flat and very full of
Trees and buſhes.
Wee vvere forced to ſpend the beſt part of three Sept. 22.
dayes, after our departure froin our Port plenty, before
we were quiet in this new-found Road, which wee had
but newly entred, when our two men and the former Sept, 23.
Troupe of Simerons, with twelue other whom they
had met in the Mountaines, came in fight ouer againſt
our Shippe, on the maine: whence wee fet thein all
aboard, to their great comfort and our content: they
rejoycing that they ſhould haue fome fit opportunity,
to wreake their wrongs on the Spaniards: wee hoping
that now our voyage ſhould be bettered.
At our firſt meeting when our Captaine had mo-
ued them, to ſhew him the meanes which they had to
furniſh him with gold and ſiluer : they anfvvered
F2
plainely

36
Sir Francis Drake
plainely, that had they knowne gold had bin his deſire,
they could haue ſatisfied hiin with ſtore, which for the
preſent they could not doe, becauſe the Riuers, in
which they had ſuncke great ſtore, which they had
taken from the Spaniards, rather to deſpite them then
for loue of gold, were now fo high, that they could
not get it out of ſuch depthes for him, and becauſe
the Spaniards in theſe rainy months doe not vſe to
cary their Treaſure by land.
This anſwere although it were ſomewhat vnlooked
for, yet nothing diſcontented vs, but rather perſwa-
ded vs farther of their honeſt and faithfull meaning to.
wards vs. Therefore our Captaine to entertaine
theſe fiue months, commanded allour Ordinance and
Artillery a ſhoare, with all our other prouiſions : felis
ding his Pinnaces to the maine, to bring ouer great
Trees, to make a Fort vpon the ſame Iland, for the
planting of all our Ordinance therein, and for otie
ſafeguard, if the Enemy in all this time ſhould chance
Our Symerons cut downe Palmito boughes and
Sept. 24. branches, and with wonderfull ſpeed raiſed vp two.
large houſes for all our Company. Our Fort was then
nade (by reaſon of the place ) Triangle wife with
maine timber & earth of which the Trench yeelded vs
good ſtore, ſo that we made it thirteen foote in height.
O&ob.7.
But after wee had continued vpon this Iland four-
teene dayes, our Captaine hauing determined, with
three Pinnaces to goe for Carthagene , left his brother
John Drake, to gouerne theſe who remained behinde
with the Symerons, to finiſh the Fort which hee had
begunne : for which hee appointed hiin to fetch
boords and plancks, as many as his Pinnace would
cary,
to coine.

Reuiued.
37
was
cary, froin the prize which wee tooke at Rio Grand, and
left all the catiunas , where ſhee draue a fhore and zon at the
raas
wracked, in our abſence : but now ſhee might ferue
very commodioufly , to ſupply our vſes, in making
platformes for our ordinance. Thus our Captaine
and his brother tooke their leave, the one to the Eaſt-
ward, and the other to the Catiuaas.
That night wee came to an Ile, which hee called
Spurkite Iland, becauſe wee found there great ſtore of
fuch a kinde a Bird in ſhape, but very delicate; of
which wee killed and roaſted many; ſtaying there till
the next day midnoone , when wee departed thence:
And about foure a clock recouered a big Iland in our Oto, 8.
way, where wee ſtayed all nighe, by reaſon that there
great
ſtore of Fiſh, and eſpecially of a great kind.
of Shellfiſh of a foote long: we called them whelkes.
The next morning wee were cleere of theſe Ilands
and Shoales, and haled off into the Sea. About foure
dayes after, neere the Ilands of Saint Barnards, wee
chaſed two Fregats a ſhore: and recouering one of
the Ilands, made our aboad there ſome two dayes 04.14.15,
to waſh our Pinnaces and take of the Fiſh,
Thence wee went towards Tolou, and that day lan- oco. 16
ded neere the Towne in a garden, where wee found
certaine indians; who delivered vs their Bowes and
Arrowes, and gathered for vs ſuch Fruit as the Gar-
den did yeeld, being many forts of dainty Fruits and
Rootes, ſtill contenting them for that wee received:
our Captaines principall intent in taking this and o-
ther places by the way, not being for any other cauſe,
but onely to learne true intelligences , of the ſtate of
the Country and of the Fleetes.
Hence wee departed preſently, and rowed towards
Chaves.
O&o.9.
Octo. 13
1:3

38
Sir Francis Drake
Chår efha the Iland of Carthagene , and entred in at Bo-
cha chuca, and hauing the winde large, wee fayl ed in
towards the City, and let fall our Grappers betwixt
the Iland and the maine, right ouer againſt the good-
ly Garden Iland. In which our Captaine would not
fuffer vs to land, notwithſtanding our importunate
deſire, becauſe he knewe, it might be dangerous :
for that they are wont to ſend Soldiers thither, when
they know any men of warre vppon the Coaſt : which
wee found accordingly : for within three houres after,
paſſing by the point of the Iland, wee had a Volly of
a hundred ſhot from them, and yet there was but one
of our men hurt.
O&o. 17. This euening wee departed to Sca: and the day
following, being ſome two leagues off the Harbor,
wee tooke a Bark, and found that the Captaine and
his wife with the better fort of the Paſſengers , had for-
faken her, and were gone a ſhore in their Gundeloe:
by occaſion where of wee boorded without reſiſtance, ,
though they were very well prouided , with Swords
and Targets and ſome ſmall Shote , beſides foure iron
Bafes. Shee was about fifty Tunne, hauing ten Ma.
riners, fiue or fix Negroes, great ſtore of Sope and
fweer Meats, bound from Saint Domingo to Carthagene.
This Captaine left behinde hinn a filke Ancient with
his Armes, as might be thought, in hafty departing.
Ofto.IS.
The next day wee fent all the company a fhore to
ſeeke their Maiters, fauing a young Negrito of three
or foure yeares old, which wee brought away, but
kept the Bark, and in her, bore into the mouth of
Carthagene Harbor where we Anchored. O
That afternoone , certaine horſmen came downe to
the point by the Wood fide, and with the Scriuana
forca
Reuiued.
39

forementioned, came towards our Bark with a Flag
of Truce, deſiring of our Captaine fafe conduct for
his comming and going: the which being granted,
hee came aboord vs, giuing our Captaine great
thankes for his manifould fauors, &c. promiſing
that night before day breake, to bring aſinuch victu-
all as they would defire, what ſhift ſo euer hee made,
or what danger focuer hee incurd of law and puniſh-
ment. But this fell out to be nothing but a deuice of
the Gouernor forced vpon the scriuano , to delay time,
till they might prouid ethemſelues offufficient ſtrength
to entrappe vs : for which this fellow by his ſmooth
fpeech, was thought a fitt meane. So by Sunne ri- O&o.19.
fing, when wee perceiued his words but words, wee
put to Sea to the weſtward of the Iland, fome three
leagues off, where wee lay at Hull the reſt of all that
day and night.
POT.Lsbryant is
The next day in the afternoone , there came out of O&o. 20.
Carth agene, two Fregats bound for Saint Domingo, the
one of fifty, th’other of twclue Tonne, hauing nothing
in them but ballaſt: wee tooke thein, within a league
of the Towne, and came to Anchor with them, wich-
in Saker ſhott of the Eaſt Bulwark: there were in thoſe
Fregats ſome twelue or thirteene common Mariners ,
which intreated to bee fet a ſhoare: to them our Cap.
taine gaue the great Fregates Gundelow, and diſmif-
fed them.
The next morniug when they came downe to the O&o. 21.
Weſter point with a flagge of Truce, our Captaine
mand one of his Pinnaces and rowed a ſhoare : when
wee were within a Cables length of the fhoare, the
Spaniards fled, hiding themſelues in the Woods, as
being afraid of our Ordinaace; but indeed to drawe
Jon Snow
VS
40
Sir Francis Drake

vs on to land confidently, and to preſume of our
ſtrength. Our Captaine commanding the Grapnell
to bee caſt out of the ſterne , veered the Pinnace a
ſhore, and affoone as ſhee touched the ſand, hee a-
lone leapt aſhore in their fight, to declare that hee
durſt ſet his foote a land , but ſtayed not among them :
to let them knowe, chat though hee had not ſufficient
forces to conquere them, yet hee had fufficent iudge-
ment to take heed of them. And therefore perceiuing
their intent , afſoone as our Captaine was aboord , we
haled off vppon our Grapner and rida while. They
preſently came forth vpon the ſand, and ſent a youth,
as with a ineffage from the Gouernor, to know what
our intent was, to ſtay thus vpon the Coaſt? our Cape
taine anſwered hee inent to traffique with them: for
hee had Tinne, Pewter, Cloth and other Marchan-
dize that theyneeded. The youth ſwam back againe with
this
anſwere; and was preſently returned , with another
meſſage: that, The King had forbidden to traffique
with any forraine Nation for any commodities, ex-
cept Powder and Shotte, of which if hee had any ſtore,
they would bee his Marchants ; hee anſwered that he
was come from his Country, to exchange his commo-
dities for Gold and Siluer , and is not purpoſed to re-
turne without his errand. They are like ( in his opini-
on) to haue little reſt, if that by faire meanes they
would not traffique with him. He gaue this Meſſenger
a faire Shirt for a reward, and lo returned him: who
rolled his Shirt about his head and ſwamme very fpem
dily.
We heard 10 anſwere all that day, and therefore
toward night wee went aboord our Fregats and repo-
ſed our felues, ſetting and keeping very orderly all
that

Reuiued. 2 41
that night our watch, with great and ſmall ſhort.it
The next morning the winde which had beene weſt-
erly in the euening, altered to the eaſtward. About
the dawning of the day, wee eſpied two Sayles tur-
ning towards vs, where vpon our Captaine waighed
with his Pinnaces, leauing the two Fregats vninand.
But when wee were come ſomewhat nigh them, the
winde calmed, and wee were faine to rowe towards
them, till that approaching very nigh wee lawe many
heads peering ouer boord. For, as wee perceiued,
theſe two Fregates were mand and ſet forth out of Care
thageze, to fight with vs, and at leaſt to empeach or
buly vs, whilſt by ſome ineanes or other they might
recouer the Fregates from vs: but our Captaine pre-
uented both their drifts. For commanding john Ox-
mam to ſtay with the one Pinnace, to entertaine theſe
two men of warre , himſelfe in the other made ſuch
{peed, that hee gate to his Fregates which hee had
left at Anchor, and cauſed the Spaniards ( who in the
meane time had gotten aboord in a ſinall Canow
thinking to haue towed thein within the danger
of their ſhott ) to make greater haſt thence, then they
did thither. For hee found that in ſhifting thence,
ſome of them were faine to ſwim a land ( the Canow
not being able to receiue them) and had left their ap-
parell , ſoine their Rapiers and Targets, ſome their
Flaskes and Calliuers behinde them, although they
were towing away of one of them: therefore conſide-
ring that wee could not man them, wee ſunck the one,
and burnt the other, giuing them to vnderſtand by
chis, that wee perceiued their fecret practiſes. no 10
This being donc, he returned to lohn Oxnam, who O&o. 22.
all this while lay by the men of warre without proffe-
G
ring
S.

42
Sir Francis Drake
ring of fight. And aſſoone as our Captaine was
come vp to theſe Fregates, the wind blew much from
the Sea , ſo that, wee being betwixt the ſhoare and
them, were in a manner forced to beare roome into
the Harbor before them , to the great ioy of the Spa-
niards who beheld it, in ſuppoſing, that wee would
ſtill haue fled before them. But affoone as wee were
in the Harbor, and felt ſmooth water, our Pinnaces
as we were aſſured of) getting the winde, wee fought
with them vpon th’aduantage, ſo that after a fewe
ſhott exchanged, and a ſtorme riſing, they were con-
tented to preffe no neerer, Therefore as they lett fall
their Anchors, wee preſently let drop our Grapners
in the wind of them, which the Spaniſh Soldiers ſee-
ing, conſidering the diſaduantage of the winde, the
likelihood of the ſtorme to continue , and finall hope
of doing any good, they were glad to retire them-
ſelues to the Towne. But by reaſon of the foule and
tempeſtuous weather, wee rode there foure dayes,
feeling great cold, by reaſon wee had ſuch ſore raines
with weſterly winde , and fo little fuccor in our Pinna-
The fift day after, there came in a Fregate from
the Sea, which ſeeing vs make towards her, ranne
herſelfe a ſhore, vnhanging her Rudder and taking
away her Sayles, that ſhee might not eaſily bee care
ried avvay. But when we were come vp to her, we per-
ceiued about a hundred horſe and foote, with their
furniture, came downe to the point of the maine,
where wee interchanged ſome ſhort with them. One
of our great ſhort paſt fo neere a braue Caualiere of
theirs, that thereby they were occaſioned to aduiſe
themſelues, and retreat into the woods, where they
might
ces, nors
22 In
Oto. 27
Reuiued.
43

might ſufficiently defend and reſcue the Fregate from
vs, and annoyvs alſo , ifwee ſtayed long about her,
Therefore we concluded to goe to Sea againe , putting
forth through Boca chica, with intent to take downe our
Mafts , vpon hope of faire wether, and to ride ynder
the Rocks called La Serenas, which are two leagues
off at Sea , as wee had vfually done aforetime, ſo that
they could not deferne vs from the Rocks. But there
the Sea was fo mightily growne, that we were for-
ced to take the Harbor againe : where wee remained
fixe dayes , notwithſtanding the Spaniards greeued Noucın. 2.
greatly at our aboade there ſo long, put an other den
uice in practiſe to indanger vs.
For they ſent forth a great Shallop, a fine Gunde-
loe , and agreat Canow , with certaine Spanyards
with Shott, and many Indians with poiſoned Ar-
rowes as it ſeemed, with intent to begin ſome fight,
and then to fly. For aſſoone as wee rowed towards
them and enterchanged fhotte , they preſently reti-
red and went a ſhoare into the woods, where an Am-
buſh of ſome fixty ſhott were layde for vs: beſides
two Pinnaces and a Fregate warping towards vs,
which were mand as the reſt. They atttemed vs very pt
boldly, being aliſted by thoſe others, which from
out of the wood, had gotten aboord the Gundelo
and Canow, and feeing vs bearing from thein (which
wee did in reſpect of the Ambuſcado) they incouraged
themſelues and affured their fellowes of the day. But
our Captaine weighing this their attempt, and being
out of danger of their fhoto from the land, comman-
ding his other Pinnace to be brought a head of him,
and to let fall their Grapners each a head the other,
enuironed both the Pinnaces with Bonnets, as for a
cloſe
G2

Sir Francis Drake
cloſe fight', and then wheaucd them aboord him.
They kept theinfelues vpon their Oares at Calli-
uer ſhott diſtance, ſpending powder apace, as wee
did fome two or three houres , we had one of our men
onely, wounded in that fight: whar they had is vnd
knowe to vs, but wee fawe their Pinnaces ſhotte
through in divers places, and the powder of one of
them tooke on fire: vvhereupon vvee vvaighed, inten-
ding to beare roome, to ouer-run them: vvhich they
perceiuing and thinking that wee vrould haue boor,
ded them, rovved avvay amaine to the defence vvhich
they had in the vvood, the rather becauſe they were
diſappointed of their helpe, that they expected from
the Fregate which vvas vvarping tovvards vs, but by
reaſon of the much vvinde thar blevy, could not come
to offend vs, or ſuccour thein.
Thus ſeeing that wee were ſtill moleſted, and na
hope remained of any purchaſe to bee had, in this
place any longer, becauſe vve vjere nov ſo notably
inade knovvne in thoſe parts, and becauſe our victuals
grevvv ſcant, as foone as the vveather vvexed foine-
vvhar better ( the Wind continuing alvvayes Weſter-
49 ly, ſo that vve could not returne to our Shippes) our
Captaine thought beſt to goe to the Eaſtvvard, ro-
vvards Rio grand, alongſt the Coaſt, vvhere vvee had
beene before, and found great ſtore of vi&uals.
But when after two dayes fayling, we were arriued
at the Villages of ſtore, where before wee had furni-
ſhed our felues with aboundance of Hens, Sheepe,
Calues, Hogges, &c. Now we found bare nothing,
not ſo much as any people left, for that they by the
Spaniards commandinent were fled to the Mountaines
and had driuen away all their Cattle, that weemight
Nou. 30
Nou. 5.
not

Reuiued. .
45
not be releeued by them. Herewith being very for-
ry
becauſe much of our vi&tuall in our Pinnaces was
Spoild, by the foule weather at Sea, and railies in Har-
bour : a Fregate being deſcryed at Sea reuiued vs, and
put vs in ſome hope for the time, that in her we ſhould
finde ſufficient; and thereupon it may eaſily be guef-
fed, how much wee laboured to recouerher: but when
we had boarded her, and vnderſtood, that ſhee had
neither meate nor money, but that ſhe was bound for
Ria grand, to take in prouiſion vpon bils, our great
hope converted into greefe.
Wee endured with our allowance feauen or eight
dayes more, proceeding to the Eaſtwards, and beau
ring roome for Santa Martha , vpon hope to finde fome
ſhipping in the Roade, or Limpets on the Rockes,
or fuccour againit the ſtorme in that good Harbor.
Being arrived; and feeing no ſhipping, we anchored
vnder the Weſter point, where is high land, and, as
we thought, free ſafety from the Towne, which is in in
the bottone of the Bay, not intending to land there,
becauſe wee knew that it was fortified, and that they
had intelligence ofvs. But the Spaniards knowing vs
to be Men of warre, and miſliking that wee ſhould
ſhroud vnder their Rockes, without their leaue, had
conueyed ſome thirty or forty ſhot among the cliffes,
which annoyed vs fð ſpitefully and ſo vnreuengedly
(for that they lay hidden behind the Rockes, but wee
lay open to them) that wee were ſoone weary of our
Harbour, and enforced, for all the ſtorme without, and
want within, to put to Sea, which though theſe Ene-
mies of ours were well contented withall, yet for a
farewell, as wee caine open of the Towne, they ſent
vsa Cullerine ſhot, which made a neere eſcape, for
G:3

46
Sir Francis Drake
it fell betweene our Pinnaces, as wee were vpon con-
ference of what was beſt to be done. The Company
aduiſed that if it pleaſed him, they might put them-
felues a land, ſome place to the Eaſt-ward to get vi-
&uals, and rather hope for curteſie of the Countrey-
people, then continue at Sea, in ſo long cold, and
great a ſtormein ſo leake a Pinnace. But our Cap-
taine would in no wife like of that aduice, hee thought
it becter to beare vp towards Rio de Haca, or Coriçay, with
hope there to haue plenty without great reſiſtance,
becauſe hee knewe, either the Ilands were not very
populous, or elſe it were very likely that there would
be found Shippes of victuall in a readines.
The Company of the other Pinnace anſwered,
that, they would willingly follow him through the
World, but in this they coulde not ſee how, either
their Pinnace ſhould live in that Sea, without being
eaten vp in that ſtorme, or they themſelues able to en-
dure ſo long time,with ſo flender prouiſion as they had,
viz, onely one Ganimon of Bacon and thirty pound
of Bisket for eighteene men. Our Captaine replyed,
that they were better prouided then himſelfe was, who
had but one Gammon of Bacon, and forty pound of
Bisket for his twenty foure men : and therefore hee
doubted not but they would take ſuch part as hee did,
& willingly depend vpon Gods Almightie prouidence,
which neuer faileth them that truſt in him : with that he
hoyſed his fore-ſayle, & ſet his courſe for Corição,which
the reſt perceiuing with ſorrowfull hearts in reſpect of
the weake Pinnace, yet deſirous to follow their Cap-
taine, conſented to take the ſame courſe.
We had not ſayled paſt three leagues, but wee had
elpyed a ſayle plying to the Weſtward with her two
coarſes,

Reuiued.
47
coarfes, to our great joy, who vowed together, that
we would haue her, or elſe it ſhould coſt vs deare.
Bearing with her, we found her to be a Spaniſh Ship
ofaboue ninty Tunne, which being wheaned a maine
by vs, deſpiſed our fummons, and ſhot off her Ordi-
nance at vs.
The Sea went very high, ſo that it was not for vs,
to atteinpt to board her, and therefore wee inade fic
ſmall fayle to attend vpon her, and keepe her com-
pany to her ſmall content, till fairer weather might
lay the Sea. Wee ſpent not paſt two houres in our at-
tendance, till it pleaſed God, after a great ſhevvr to ſend
vs a reaſonable calme, ſo that we might vſe our Peeces
and approach her at pleaſure, in ſuch fort that in ſhort
time we had taken her; finding her laden with victuall
well poudred and dryed, which at that preſent wee
receiued as fent vs of Gods great mercy. After all
things vvere ſet in order, and that the Winde in-
creaſed tovvards night, vve plyed off and cn, till day,
at vvhat time our Captaine ſent in Edward Hixom, vvho Nou. 13.
had then charge ofhis Pinnace, to ſearch out ſome Har-
bor along the Coaſt: who hauing found out a little
one, fome tenne or twelue leagues to the Eaſt of
Santa Martha, where in founding he had good ground
and fufficient water, preſently returned, and our Cap-
taine brought in his new Prize. Then by promiſing
liberty, and all their apparell to the Spaniards which
we had taken, if they would bring vs to water and
freſh victuals, the rather by their meanes , wee ob-
tained of the inhabitants Indians, what they had
which was plentifull. Theſe Indians were clothed, and
gouerned by a Spaniard which dwelt in the next Tovvne,
not paft a league off: we ſtayed there all day, watering
and

48
Sir Francis Drake
US
and wooding, and prouiding things neceffary, by
gining content and fatisfaction to the Indians. But
towards night our Captaine called all of vs aboard,
(onely leaving the Spaniards lately taken in the
Prize afhoare, according to our promiſe made them,
to their great content , who acknowledged that our
Captaine did thein a farre greater fanour, in ſetting
thein freely at liberty, then hee had done thein dif-
pleaſure in taking their Ship) and ſo fer ſayle.
The fickeneſſe which had begunne to kindle
ainongſt two or three dayes before , did this day
ſhewe it felfe, in Charles Glub, one of our Quarter-
Mafters, a very tall man, and a right good Mariner,
taken away to the great greefe both of Captaine and
Company. What the cauſe of this malady was, we
knewe nor of certainety, we imputed it to the colde,
which our men had taken, lying without fuccour in
the Pinnaces. But howſoeuer it was, thus it plea-
fed God to viſit vs, and yet in fauour to reſtore vnto
health all the reſt of our Company, that were tou-
ched with this diſeaſe, which were not a few.
Nouem.15. The next morning being faire weather, though
the Winde continued contrary, our Captaine com-
manded the Minion his leffer Pinnace, to haften
away before him towards his Shippes at Fort Diego
within the Cabeças to cary newes of his comming, and
to put all things in a readineſſe for our Land journey,
if they hcare any thing of the Fleets arriuall by the
Simerons , giuing the Minion charge if they wanted
Winc, to take Saint Bernards in their way, and there
take in ſome fuch portion as they thought good, of
the Wines which we had there hidden in the ſand.
Nouem.22 Weplyed to windwards, as neere as we could,
fo

Reuited.
49
ſo that within a feauen-night after the Minion departed
from vs, we came to Saint Barnards, where we ſtayed
many houres, finding but twelue Botijos of Wine,
of all the ſtore wee left, which had eſcaped the cu-
rious ſearch of the Enemy (who had beene there) for
that they were deepe in the ground.
Within foure or fiue dayes after , we came to our N'cu. 27.
Ship, where we found allother things in good order,
but réceiued very heauy newes of the death of john
Drake our Captaines brother, and another young
man called Richard Allen, which were both Naine ac
one time, as they attempted the boarding of a Fre-
gate within two dayes after our departing from
them. ab eis qolisota HOME
The manner ofit (as wec learned by examination
of the Company) was this: when they faw this Fre-
gate at Sea, (as they were going towards their Fort
with planckes to make the platformes ) the Com-
pany were very importunate on him, to give chaſe and
fet vpon this Fregate, which they deemed had beene
a fit booty for them. But he told them, that they wan-
ted weapons to affaite, they knew not how the Fregate
was prouided, they had their boat loaden with
planckes, to finiſh that his brother had commanded.
But when this would not ſatisfie them, but that ſtill
they vrged him with words and ſuppoſals : Ifyou will
needs faid he aduenture, it ſhall neuer be ſaid that I
will be hindmoſt, neither ſhall you report to my Bro-
ther, that you loſt your voyage by any covvardiſe you
found in me. To
Thereupon euery man ſhifted as they might for
the time: and heauing their planckes ouer board,
teoke them ſuch poore vveapons as they had: víz, a
H Н
broken

30
Sir Francis Drake
broken pointed Rapier, one old Viſgee and a ruſty
Caliuer : Ichn Draka tooke the Rapier, and made a
Gantlet of his Pillovv, Richard Allen the Viſ gee, both
ſtanding in the head of the Pinnace, called the Eion,
Robert tooke the Caliuer and ſo boarded. But they
found the Fregate armed round about yvith a cloſe
fight of hides, full of Pikes and Caliuers, vvhich yvere
diſcharged in their faces, and deadly wounded
thoſe that vvere in the Fore-ſhippe, lohn Drake in the
belly, and Richard Allen in the head. But notvvithſtan-
ding their vyounds, they vvith Oares fhifted off the
Pinnace, got cleare of the Fregate, and vvith all haſt
recouered their Shippe, vvhere vvithin an houre after
this young man of great hope, ended his dayes , great-
ly lamented of all the Company.
Thus hauing moared our Shippes faſt, our Cap-
taine reſolued to keepe himſelfe cloſe, vvithout be-
ing deſcried, vntill he might heare of the comming
of the Spaniſh Fleet, and therefore fet no more to
Sea, but fupplyed his vvants, both for his ovvne
Company and the Symerous , out of his foreſaid Maga-
zine , beſides daily out of the vvoods, vnith vvilde
Hogges, Pheaſants and Guanas , continuing in
health (God be praiſed ) all the meane time, which
vvas a month at leaſt, till at length about the be-
ginning of Ianuary, halfe a ſcore of our Company
fell dovyne ficke together, and the moſt of them
dyed within tvvo or three dayes : ſo long that vve
had thirty at a time ficke of this Calenture, vvhich ar-
tachedour men, either by reaſon of the ſuddaine
change from cold to heate, or by reaſon of brackiſh
vvater vvhich had beene taken in by one Pinnace,
through the floth of their men in the mouth of the
Riuer,
Ian. 3

Reuiued.
51
Riuer, not rovving further in vvhere the vvater
vvas good.
Among the reſt, Ioſeph Drake another of his bre-
thren dyed in our Captaines armes , of the ſamedi-
feaſe: of vvhich, that the cauſe might bee the better
diſcerned, and conſequently remedyed, to the re-
leefe of others, by our Captaines appointment hee
was ript open by the Surgeon, who found, his Liuer
ſwolne, his heart as it were fodden , and his guts
all faire. This was the firſt and laſt experiment that
our Captaine, made of Anatomy in this voyage.
The Surgeon that cut him vp, ouer-lined him not
paſt foure dayes, although hee were not touch with
that fickeneffe, of which he had beene recouered
abouie a month before: but onely of an ouerbold
practiſe which he would needs make vpon himſelfe,
by receiuing an ouer-ſtrong purgation of his owne de-
uice: after which taken, hee neuer ſpake , nor his boy
recouered the health which hee loft by taſting it, till
he ſaw England.
The Symerons, who , as is beforeſaid, had beene
entertained by oår Captaine in September laſt, and
vſually repaired to our Ship, during all the time of our
abſence, ranged the Country vp and downe, betweene
Nombre de Dios and vs to learne what they might
for vs : whereof they gaue our Captaine aduertiſement
from time, to time, as now particularly , certaine of
them let him vnderſtand that the Fleete was certainely
arrived at Nombre de Dios.
Therefore he ſent the Lyon, to the ſeamoft Iland Ian. 30.
of the Catiuaas, to deſcry the truth of the report: by
reafon it muſt needs bee, that if the Fleete were in
Nombre de Dios , all the Fregates of the Countrey
H2
would

52
Sir Francis Drake
throats
would repaire thitherwards with victuall.
The Lyon within few dayes deſcryed that ſhec
was ſent for , eſpying a Fregate which ſhee pre-
fently boarded and tooke , laden with Maiz, Hens,
and Pompions froin Tolos , who aſſured vs of the
whole truth, of the arriuall of the Fleete : in this
Fregate were taken one woman and twelue men,
of whome one was the Scriwang of Tolou. Theſe wee
vſed very courteouſly , keeping them dilligently
guarded from the deadly hatred of the Symerons,
who fought daily by all meanes they could to gec
them of our Captaine, that they might cut their
to reuenge their wrongs and injujies,
which the Spaniſh Nation had donc them: but out
Capraine perfwaded them not to touch them, or
give them ill countenance, while they were in his charge: 88
tooke order for their ſafety, not only in his preſence,
bue alſo in his abſence. For when he had prepared to
take his journey for Panama by land, he gaue Eduard
Els Hixom charge of his owne Ship and Company, & efpe:
cially of chofe Spaniards whome hee had put into
the great Prize, which was haled a ſhoare to the
Iland (which we termed ſlaughter Iland, becauſe fo
many of our men dyed there) and vſed as a ſtore-houſe
for our ſelues, and a priſon for our Enemies.
All things thus ordered, our Captaine confer-
ring with his Company and the Chiefeſt of the Sume-
what prouifions were to bee prepared for this
great and long journey, what kinde of weapons,
what ſtore of viduals, and what manner of apparell:
Was eſpecially aduiſed, to cary as great ſtore of
Shooes as poſſibly hee might, by reaſon of fo many
Riuers, with ſtones and grauell as they were to paſſe,
which
Ꭹ 9085

Reulued,
53
which accordingly prouiding, prepared his Com-
pany for that journey, entring it vpon Shroue. Febr. 3.
tueſday. At what time there had dyed twenty eight
of our inen, and a fewe whole men were left aboard
with Edward Hixom, to keepe the Shippe andatend
the ficke, and guard the priſoners, and
At his departure our Captainc gave this Maſter
ſtraite charge, in any caſe not to truſt any meſſen-
ger,
that ſhould come in his name with any to-
kens, vnleffe hee brought his hand writing : which
he knewe could not be counterfeited, by the Symer ons
or Spaniards.
We were in all forty eight, of which eighteene
onely were Engliſh, the reſt were Symerons, which
beſides their Armes, bare euery one of them, a great
quantity of victuall and prouiſion, ſupplying our
want of cariages in ſo long a march, ſo that wee were
not troubled with any thing but our furniture. And
becauſe they could not cary enough to fuffice vs al-
together, therefore, as they promiſed before, ſo by
the way with their Arrowes, they prouided for vs
coinpetent ſtore from time to time. cool
They haue euery one of them two fortes of Ar-
rowes, the one to defend himſelfe and offend the ene-
my,the other to kill his victualls. Theſe for fight are
fomewhat like the Scotiſh Arrowe; onely ſomewhat
longer, and headed with iron , Wood or Fiſhbones,
but the Arrowes for prouifion are of three forts, the
firſt ſerueth to kill any great Beaſt neere hand, as Ox,
Stagge, or wilde Boare: this hath a head of iron of a
pound and a halfe weight, ſhaped in forme like the
head of a Iauelin or Boare ſpeare, as ſharpe as any
knife , making fo large and deepe a wound, as can
hardly
H3

54
Sir Francis Drake
hardly bee beleiued of him that hath not ſcene it. The
ſecond ferueth for leffer Beaſts, and hath a head of
three quarters of a pound: this hee moft yſually ſhoo-
terh. The third ferueth for all manner of Birds : it
hath a head of an ounce weight. And theſe heads
though they bee of iron onely, yet are they ſo cunning-
ly tempered, that they will continue a very good edge
a long time: and though they bee turned ſometimes
yet they will neuer or ſeldome breake. The neceffity
in which they ſtand hereof continually, cauſeth them
to haue iron in farre greater account then Gold: & no
man among them is of greater eſtimation, then he that
can moſt perfectly giue this temper vnto it.
Euery day wee were marching by Sun-riſing: wec
continued till ten in the foreneone : then reſting
(euer neere ſome Riuer) till paſt twelue, wee marched
till foure, and then by fome Riuers fide, wee repoſed
our ſelues in ſuch houſes, as either wee found prepa-
red heretofore by them, when they trauelled through
theſe woods, or they daily built very readily for ys
in this manner.
Affoone as wee came to the place, where wee in-
tended to lodge, the Symerons, preſently laying downe
their burthens , fell to cutting of Forkes or Poſts, and
Poles or Rafters, and Palmito boughes, or Plantaine
leales: and with great ſpeed ſet vp, to the number
of fixe houſes. For euery of which they firſt faſtned
deepe into the ground, three or foure great
Poftes
with Forkes : vpon them, they layde one Tranſome,
which was commonly about twentie foote, and made
the fides, in the manner of the roofes of our Country
houſes ,thatching it cloſe with thoſe aforeſaid leaues,
which keepe out water long time: obſeruing alwayes
that

Reuiued.
55
that in the lower ground, where greater heate was ,
they left ſome three or foure foote open vnthatcht be
lowe,& made the houſes, or rather roofes,ſo many foote
the higher. But in the Hils,
where the ayre was more
peircing & the nights colder, they made our roomes al-
waies lower, & Thatched them cloſe to the ground, lea-
uing onely one dore to enter at, and a Louer hole for a
vent, in the midſt of the roofe. In euery of theſe, they
made foure feuerall lodgings, and three fires, onein
the midſ ,and one at each end of euery houſe : ſo that
the roome was moſt temperately warme, and nothing
annoyed with finoake, partly by reaſon of the nature of
the wood, which they vſe to burne, yeelding very litle
finoake, partly by reaſon of their artificiall making of
it: as firing the wood cutt in length like our billets , at
the ends, and ioyning them together fo cloſe, that
though no flame or fire did appeare, yet the heate con-
tinued without intermiſſion:
Neere many of the Riuers where wee ſtayd orlodgd,
wee found fundry ſorts of Fruits , which wee mnight vſe
with great pleaſure and ſafety temperately, Mammeas,
Guayuas , P almisos , Pinos, Oranges , Limes and diuers o-
ther ; from eating of which they diffwaded vs in any
cafe , vnleſſe wee eate very few of them, and thoſe
firſt dry roaſted, as plantans, Potatos and ſuch like.
In iournying, as oft as by chance they found any
wilde Swine, of which thoſe Hills and Valleys haue
ftore, they would ordinarily , fixe at a time, deliuer-
their burthens to the reſt of their fellowes, and pur-
fue, kill and bring away after vs, as much as they could
carry, and time permitted. One day as wee trauelled,
the Symeroms found an Otter, and prepared it to bee :
dreſt: our Captaine maruelling at it, Pedro (our cheefe:
Syneron)

Sir Francis Drake
Symeron ) asked him, Are you a man of marre, and in
Want , and yet doubt whether this bee meat, that hath bloud?
herewithall our Captaine rebuked himſelfe fecretly,
that hee had to flightly conſidered of it before.
The third day of our iourney, they brought vs to
a Towne of their owne, ſeated neere a faire Riuer,
on the ſide of a Hill, enuironed with a Dike of eight
foote broad, and a thicke mud wall of ten foote high,
fufficient to ſtop a ſudden ſurpriſer. It had one long
and broad ſtreet, lying Eaſt and Weft, and two o-
ther croſſe ſtreets of leſſe bredth and length : there
were in it forne fiue or fixe and fifty houſeholds, which
were kept ſo cleane and ſweet, that not onely the hou-
les, but the very ſtreets were very pleaſant to behold.
In this Towne wee fawe they lived very ciuilly and
cleanely:foraſſoone as they came thither, they waſhed
themſelues in the Riuer, and changed their apparell
which was very fine and fitly made (as alſo their we
men doe weare) ſomewhat after the Spaniſh faſhion,
though nothing ſo coſtly. This Towne is diſtant
thirtie five leagues from Nombre de Dios and fortie
fiue from Panama. It is plentifully ſtored with many
forts of Beaſts and Foule, with plenty of Maiz and ſun-
dry Fruits.
Touching their affection in religion, they haue no
kinde of Preifts, onely they held the Croffe in great
reputation : but ac our Captaines perſwation
they were contented to leaue their Croffes, and
to learne the Lords prayer, and to bee inſtructed
in fome meaſure concerning Gods true worſhip. They
keep a continuall watch in foure parts, 3. mniles off their
Towne, to prevent the miſcheifes which the Spaniards
intend againſt them, by the conducting of ſome of
their

Keulued.
37
their owne coates, which hauing beene taken by the
Spaniards haue beene enforced thereunto : wherein,
as wee learned, ſometimes the Spaniards haue preuai-
led ouer thein, ſpecially when they liued leſſe carea
full; but ſince they againſt the Spaniards whome they
kill like Beaſts ,as often as they take them in the woods,
hauing aforehand vnderſtood of their comning.com
Wee ſtayed with them that night, and the next Feb. 9.
day till noone: during which time they related vnto
vs diuers very ſtrange accidents, that had fallen out
betweene them and the Spaniards, namely one : A gal-
lant Gentleman entertained by the Gouernors of the
Country, vndertooke the yeare laſt paſt, with a hundred
and fiftie Souldiers, to put this Towne to the ſword,
Men, Women, and Children. Being conducted to
it by one of thein , that had beene taken priſoner, and
wonne by great gifts: hee furpriſed it halfe an houre
before day, by which occaſion moſt of the men efca-
ped , but many of their women and children were
ſlaughtered, or taken: but the ſame morning by Sun
riſing, after that their guide was flaine, in following
another mans wife: and that the Synerons had aſſem-
bled themſelues in their ſtrength : they behaued thein-
ſelues in ſuch ſort, and draue the Spaniards to ſuch ex-
tremity, that what with the diſaduantage of the
woods hauing loſt their guide and thereby their way,
what with famine & want, there eſcaped not paſt thirty
of them, to returne anſwere to thoſe which ſent thein.
Their King dwelt in a City within fixteene leagues
Southeaſt of Panana, which is able to make one thou-
fand feauen hundred fighting men.
They all intreated our Captaine very earneſtly, to
make his aboade with them ſome two or three dayes,
I
promis
58
Sir Francis Drake

promiſing that by that time, they would double his
ſtrength if hee thought good. But hee thanking them
for their offer, told them, that hee could ſtay no lon-
ger, it was inore then time to proſecute his purpoſed
voiage : as for ſtrength, hee would wiſh no more then
hee had, although hee might haue preſently twenty
times aſmuch : which they tooke as proceeding not
onely from kindnes, but alſo from magnanimity, and
therefore, they marched forth that afternoone with
great
good will.
ons voy enouib av
This was the order of our march: Foure of thoſe
Symerons that beſt knew the wayes, went about a mile
diſtance before vs, breakiug boughes as they went,
to be a direction to thoſe that followed : but with great
filence, which they required vs alſo to keepe. Then
twelue of them were as it were our Vantgard, and o-
ther twelue our Reereward : wee with their two Cap-
taines in the midſt,
All the way was through woods very coole and
plealant, by reaſon of thoſe goodly and high Trees,
that growe there fo thick, that it is cooler trauelling
there vnder them in that hot region, then it is in the
moſt parts of England in the Sommer time. This gaue
a ſpeciall encouragement ynto vs all that wee vnder-
itood there was a great Tree about the midway, from
which, wee might at once diſcerne the North Sea froin
whence wee came, and the South Sea whether we were
going.
The fourth day following wee came ro the height
of the deſired Hill, (a very high Hill, lying Eaſt and
Weft, like ridge a betweene the two Seas ) about ten
of the clock : where the chiefeſt of theſe Symerons
tooke our Captaine by the hand, and prayed him to
follow
Feb, II.

a Reuiuęd. 12
59
follow him , if hee was deſirous to fee at once the
cwo Seas: which hee had ſo long longed for.
Here was that goodly and great high Tree, in
which they had cutt and made diuers ſteps , to aſcend
vp neere vnto the top, where they had alſo made a
conuenient Bower, wherein ten or twelue men might
eaſily ſitt : and from thence wee might without any
difficulty plainely ſee, th’ Atlantick Ocean whence now
wee came, and the South Atlantick fo much deſired:
South and North of this Tree , they had felld cer-
taine Trees, that the proſpect might be the cleerer : and
neere about the Tree there were diuers ſtrong houſes,
that had beene built long before, aſwell by other Sy-
merons as by theſe : which vſually paſſe that way, as be-
ing, inhabited in diuers places in thoſe waſte Coun-
avob ola bus stain ons
After our Captaine had aſcended to this Bower,
with the cheefe symeron, and hauing as it pleaſed God,
at that time, by reaſon of the brize, a very faire day,
had ſeene that Sea, of which hee had heard ſuch gol-
den reports : hee befought Almighty God of his
goodnes, to giue him life and leave to ſayle once in
an Engliſh Ship in that Sea: and then calling vp all
the reſt of our men, acquainted john Oxnam eſpecial-
ly with this his peticion and purpoſe , if it would
pleaſe God to grant him thar happines: who vnder-
ſtanding it, preſently proteſted, that vnleſle our Cap-
taine did beate him from his company, hee would
follow him by Gods grace.
5. Thus all throughly ſatiſfied with the fight of the
Seas', deſcended, and after our repaft , continued our
ordinary march, through woods, yet two dayes more
as before : without any great variety. But then wee
I 2
tries.
Feb. 130
camc

бо Sir Francis Drake
m
came to march in a Champion Country, where the
graffe groweth, not onely in great length as the knot-
graſſe groweth in many places, but to ſuch height,
that th’inhabitants are faine to burne it thriſe in the
yeare, that it may bee able to feed their Cattle , of
which they haue thouſands. For it is a kinde of graffe
with a ſtalke , as big as a great wheaten reed, which
hath a blade iffuing from the top of it, on which,
though the Cattle feed, yet it groweth every day
higher, vntill the top be too high foran Oxe to reach.
Then th'inhabitants are wont pur fire to it, for the
ſpace of fiue or fixe miles together, which notwith-
ſtanding after it is thus burnt , within three dayes
{pringeth vp freſh like greene Corne, Such is the
great
fruitfulnes of the foyle: by reaſon of che ceiiennes of
the day and night, and the rich dewes which fall
euery morning
In theſe three laſt dayes march in the Champion,
as wee paſt ouer the Hills, wee might ſee Panama fiue
or fixe times a day, and the laſt day wee fawe the .
Ships riding in the roade.
But after that we were come within a dayes journey
of Panamá, our Captaine vnderſtanding by the Simea ,
109s that the Dames of Panama are wont to ſend forth
Hunters, and Fowlers, for taking of fundry dainty
Foule, which the Land yeeldeth , by whom if wec
marched not very heedfully, wee might be deſcried;
cauſed all his company to march out of all ordinary
way, and that with as great heed, filence and ſecrecy,
as poffibly they might, to the Groue, which was a-
greed on foure daies before, lying within a league of Pa-
Erdozama, where we might lye ſafely vndiſcouered nere the
highway that leadeth from thence to Nombre de Dios.
Thence
Feb. 14.

Reuiued. 12 61
Thence wee fent a choſen Symeros, one that had
ferued a Maſter in Panamah before time, in ſuch appa-
rell as the Negroes of Pamamah doe vſe to weare , to bea
our Eſpyall, to goe into the Towne, to learne the cer-
taine night, and time of the night, when the Carriers
laded the Treaſure from the Kings Treaſure-houſe to
Nombre de Dios.
For they are wont to take their journey from Pana-
ma to Venta Cruz, which is fixe leagues, euer by night,
becauſe the Countrey is all champion, and conſe-
quently by day very hot: but from Venta Cruz to Nom-
bre de Dios, as oft as they trauell by land with their Trea-
fure, they travell alwayes by day and not by night,
becauſe all that way is full of Woods, and there-
fore very freſh and coole: vnleffe the Symerons happily
encounter them , and make them ſweate with feare, as
ſometimes they haue done: whereupon they are glad
to guard their Recoes with Souldiers as they paſſe that
way.
This laſt day our Captaine did behold and view,
the moſt of all that faire City, diſcerning the large
ſtreete which lyeth directly from the Sea into the
Land , South and North. By three of the clocke we
came to this Groue, paſſing ( for the more ſecrecy )
alongſt a certaine Riuer, which at that time was al-
moſt dryed vp.
Hauing difpofed ofour felues in the Groue, wee
diſpatched our Spye an houre before night, ſo that
by the cloſing in of the enening, he might be in the
City, as he was : whence prefently he returned vnto
vs, that which very happily hee vnderſtood by
companions of his : That the Treaſurer of Lima, in-
tending to paffe into Spaine in the firſt aduiſo, (which
13
Wass

62
Sir Francis Drake
Was a Shippe ofthree hundred and fifty Tunne, a ve-
ry good fayler) was ready that night, to take his jour-
ney towards Nombre de Dios with his Daughter & Fami-
ly: hauing foureteene Moyles in company, of which,
eight were loden with gold, and one with jewels.
And farther, that there were two other Recos, of fifty
Moyles in each , loaden with vi&ualles for the most
part, with ſome little quantity of filuer , to come
forth that night after the other. There are twenty
eight of theſe Recos, the greateſt of them is offeauenty
Moyles, the leſſe of fifty, vnleffe ſome particular
man hire for himſelfe, tenne, twenty or thirty, as hee
hath need.
Vpon this notice, wee forthwith marcht foure
leagues, till we caine within two leagues of Venta Cruz,
in which march two of our Symerons which were fent
before, by ſcent of his match, found and brought a
Spaniard, whome they had found a fleepe by the
way, by ſcent of the ſaid match , and drawing neere
thereby, heard himn taking his breath as hee ſlept; and
being but one, they fell vpon him, ſtopt his mouth
from crying, put out his match, and bound him fo,
that they well neare ſtrangled him by that time hee
was brought ynto vs. By examining him, we found
all that to be true, which our Spye had reported to
Vs, and that he was a Souldier entertained with
others by the Treaſurer, for the guard and conduct
of this Treaſure, from Venta Cruz to Nombre de Dios,
- This Souldier hauing learned who our Captaine
was , tooke courage, and was bold to make two re-
queſts vnto him: the one, that hee would command
his Simerens which hated the Spaniards (eſpecially the
Souldiers ) extreamely , to ſpare his life, which hee
doubted
Reciued.
63

ر
way, about
doubted not but they would doe at his charge: the
other was, that ſeeing he was a Souldier , and aſſured
him, that they ſhould haue that night, more gold,
beſides jewels, and Pearles of great price, then all they
could cary (if not, then he was to be delt with hovy
they vvould) but if they all found it ſo, then it might
pleaſe our Captaine to giue vnto him as inuch as might
fuffice for him and his Miſtreſſe to liue vpon, as hee
had heard our Captaine had done to diuers others : :
for which hee would make his name as famous, as
any of them, which had receiued like fauour.
Being at the place appointed, our Captaine with
halfe of his inen, lay on one ſide of the
fifty paces off in the long graſſe : lohn Oxnam with
the Captaine of the Symerons, and the other halfe, lay
on the other ſide of the way, at the like diſtance : but
ſo farre behinde, that as occafion ferued, the foriner
Company inight take the formoft Moyles by the
heads, and the other the hindınoſt, becauſe the Moyles
tyed togethet, are alwaies driven one after another;
and eſpecially that if wee ſhould haue need to vſe our
Weapons that night, we might be ſure not to enda-
mage our fellowes. Wee had not laine thus in ambuſh
much aboue an houre, but wee heard the Recos com-
ming both from the City to Venta Cruz, and from Venta
Cruz to the City, which hath a very common and
great trade, when the Fleetes are there : wee heard
them, by reaſon they delight much to haue deepe foun-
ding Belles, which in a ſtill night are heard very
farre off.
Now though there vvere as great charge given as
might be, that none of our inen ſhould ſhow or ſtirre
themſelues : but let all that came from Venta Cruz to
palie

64
Sir Francis Drake
paſſe quietly: yca their Recos alſo, becauſe wee knewe
that they brought nothing but Marchandiſe from
thenice: yer one of our men called Robert Pike, hauing
drunken too much Aqua vite withont water, forgat
hiinfelfe, and entiſing a Symeron forth with him, was
gone hard to the way, with intent to haue fhewne
his forwardneſfe on the foremoſt Moyles. And when
a Caualier from Venta Cruz, well inounted, with his
Page running at his ſtirrop, paft by , vnaduiſedly he
roſe vp to ſee what he was : but the Symeron of bet-
ter diſcretion puld him downe, and lay vpon him, that
he might not diſcouer them any more. Yet by this the
Gentleman had taken notice by ſeeing one all'in white:
for that wee had all put our ſhirts ouer our other
apparell, that wee might be ſure to knowe our owne
men in the pell mellin the night. By meanes of this
fight, the Caualier putting ſpurs to his Horſe, rode
falſe gallop, as deſirous not onely himſelfe to be
free of this doubt; which he imagined, but alſo to giue
aduertiſement to others that they might auoid it.
Our Captaine who had heard and obferued (by
scafon of the hardneffe of the ground and ftilneffe of
the night) the change of this Gentlemans trot to a
gallop, ſuſpected, that he was diſcouered, but could
not imagine by whoſe fault, neither did the time giue
him leaſure to fearch. And therefore conſidering that
it might be, by reaſon of the danger of the place, well
knowne to ordinary trauellers ; wee lay ſtill in expecta-
tion of the Treaſurers comming, who was by this
time within halfe a league, and had come forwardes
to vs, but that this Horſeman meeting him, and (as
we afterwards learned by the other Recoes) making re-
port to him, what hee had ſeene preſently that night,
what
9 Reuiued. 10
65

what hee heard of Captaine Drake this long time;
and what hee conje&ured to be moſt likely:
vize that
the ſaid Captaine Drake , or ſome for him, diſapointed
of his expectation, of getting any great Treaſure, both
at Nombre de Dios and other places, was by ſome
aneanes or other come by land, in couert through the
woods vnto this place to ſpeed of his purpoſe : and
thereupon perſwaded him to turne his Reco out of the
way, & let the other Recoes which were comming after
to paſſe on. They were whole Recoes, and loaden but
with vi&tuals for the moſt part, ſo that the loffe of
them were farre leffe if the worſt befell, and yet they
ſhould ſerue to diſconer them as well as the beſt of
Thus by the rechleſnefſe of one of our Company,
and by the carefulneffe of this Traueller, we were diſ-
appointed of a moſt rich booty, which is to be thought
God would not fhonld be taken, for that by all like-
lihood it was well gotten by that Treaſurer.
The other two Recoes were no fooner come vp to
vs, but being ftayed and feaſed on, one of the cheefe
Carriers a very ſenſible fellow, told our Captaine by
what meancs wee were diſcovered, and counſelled vs
to ſhift for our ſelues betimes, vnleſſe vvee were able
to encounter the whole force of the City and Coun-
trey which before day would be about vs. Jooks
It pleaſed vs but little, that vvee were defeated of
our golden Recoe, and that in theſe we could finde not
paſt ſome two Horſe-loade of ſiluer : but it greeued
our Captaine much more, that hee vvas diſcouered,
and that by one of his owne men. But knowing it
bootleſſe to greeue at things paſt, and hauing learned
by experience, thatall ſafety in extremities confifteth
in taking in time:after no long conſultation with Pedro,
K
the

66
Sir Francis Drake
the cheefe of our (Symerons , vvho declared thar there
vvere but two vvayes for him : the one to trauell backe
againe the ſame fecret way they caine, for foure
leagues ſpace into the Woods : or elſe to inarch for-
ward, by the high way to Venta Cruz, being two lea-
gues, and make a way with his Sword through the
Enemies. Hee reſolued, conſidering the long and
weary marches that vvee had taken , and cheefely.
that laſt evening and day before : to take now the
ſhorteſt and readieſt vvay; as chooſing rather to en-
counter his Enemies vvhile hee had ſtrength remai-
ning, then to bee encountred or chaſed vvhen vvee
ſhould be worne out vvith vvearineffe : principally
now hauing the Moyles, to eaſe thein that would,
ſome part of the vvay.toosi, sta dins
Therefore commanding all to refreſh themſelues
moderatly vvith ſuch ſtore of victuall , as we had
there in aboundance : hee ſignified his reſolution and
reaſon to them all : asking Pedro by name, vvhether hee
vvould giue his hand not to forſake him (becauſe hee
knew that the reſt of the Symerons would alſothen ſtand
faſt and firme, fo faithfull are they to their Captaine.)
Hee being very glad of his reſolution, gaue our Cap-
taine his hand, and vowed that hee vvould rather dye
at his foote, then leaue him to the Enemies, if hee
held this courſe..
So hauing ſtrengthned our ſelues for the time, vve
tooke our journey towards Venta Cruz , vvith helpe
of the Moyles, till vvee came vvithin a mile of the
Towne, výbere vvee turned away the Recoes, charging
the Conducters of them, not to follow vs, vpon paine
of their liues.
There the way is cut through the Woods, aboue
tenne

Reuiued.
67
tenne of twelue foote broade, ſo as two Recoes may
paſſe one by another. The fruitfulneſſe of the ſoyle,
Cauſeth that vvith often ſhredding & ridding the vvay
thoſe Woods grow as thicke as our hickeft hedges
in England that are oftneſt cur, til Him
To the midſt of this Wood, a Company of Soul-
diers, vvhich continually lay in that Towne , to defend
it' againſt the Symer ons vvere come forth, to ſtoppe vs
if they might on the vvay, if not, to retrait to their
ſtrength, and there to expect vs. A Conuent of
Fryers of vvhome one vvas become a Leader , joyned
vvith theſe Souldiers, to take ſuch paete as they did.
Our Captaine vnderſtanding by our two Symerons,
vvhich vvith great heedfulneſſe and filence, marched
novv, but about halfe a flight-ſhot before vs, that it
was time for vs to arme & take vs to our weapons, for
they knew the Enemy vvas at hand, by ſinelling of their
match and hearing of a noyſe : had giuen vs charge,
that no one of vs ſhould inake any ſhot, vntill the
Spaniards had firſt ſpent their volly:vvhich he thought
they vvould not doe before they had ſpoken , as indeed
fell out: For as foone as vve vvere vvithin hearing, a
Spaniſh Captaine cryed aloud, Hóó, our Captaine
anſwered him likevvife , & being demanded, Que gente?
replyed Engliſbomen. But vvhen the ſaid Commander
charged him in the name of the King of Spaine his Ma-
fter, that we ſhould yeeld our felues, promiſing in
the word and faith of a Gentleman Souldier, that if
we would fo doe, he would vſe vs with all curtefie; our
Captaine drawing fomwhat neere him faid: That for
the honour of the Qucene of England his Miſtreſſe, hee
muſt haue paſſage that way: and therewithall diſchar-
ged his Piftual towards him.
K2
Vpon

68
Sir Francis Drake
Vpon this, they preſently ſhot off their whole vol-
ly, which , though it lightly wounded our Captaine
and diuers of our men , yet it cauſed death to one
onely of our Company called Iohn Harris , who was
fo poudered with haile-ſhot (which they all vſed for
the moſt part as it ſeemed, or elſe quartered, for
that our men were hurt with that kinde)
that we could
not recouer his life, though he continued all that day
afterwards with vs. Preſently as our Captaine percei.
ued their ſhott to come flacking, as the latter drops of
a great ſhewre of raine, with his Whiſtle he galie vs
his vſuall ſignall, to anſwere them with our ſhor and
Arrowes , and fo march onwards vpon the Enemy,
with intent to come to handi-ftrokes, and to haue joy-
ned with them: whom when hee found retired as to a
place of ſome better ſtrength, hee encreaſed his pace
to preuent them if he night. Which the Symerons
perceiuing, although by terror of the ſhot continuing,
they were for the time ſtept a fide: yet as ſoone as they
diſcerned by hearing that we marched onward, they
all ruſht forwards one after another, trauerſing the
way, with their Arrowes ready in their Bowes, and
their manner of Countrey dance or leape, very lufti-
ly, ſinging Tó pekó, jó peká, and ſo got before vs,
where they continued their leape and fong , after
the manner of their owne Countrey warres,
and wee ouer-tooke fome of the Enemy , who neere
the Townes end, had conueyed themſelues within
the Woods, to haue taken their ſtand at ys, as be-
fore.
But our Symerons now throughly encouraged,
when they our refolution, brake in through the thica
kets, on both ſides of them , forcing them to dye,
Fryers
, till they

Reuiued.
69
Fryers and all, although diuers of our men were woun-
ded, and one Symeron eſpecially was runne through
with one of their Pikes , whoſe courage and minde
ferued hiin ſo well notwithſtanding, that hee reuen-
ged his owne death ere hee dyed, by killing hiin
that had giuen him that deadly wound.
Wee, with all ſpeed, following this chafe, en-
tred the Townie of Venta Cruz , being of about forty
or fifty houſes, which had both a Gouernour and
other Officers and ſome faire houſes, with many
Store-houſes large and ſtrong for the Wares, which
were brought thither from Nombre de Dios, by the River
of Chagro , fo to be tranſported by Moyles to Panama:
beſides the Monafterie where wee found aboue a
thouſand Bulles and Pardons newly ſent thither from
Rome.
In thoſe houſes wee found three Gentlewomen,
which had lately beene delivered of Children there,
though their dwelling were in Nombre de Dios, becauſe
it hath beene obſerued of long time, as they reported
to vs, that no Spaniard or White woman could euer.
bee deliuered in Nombre de Dios with ſafety of their
Children, but that within two or three dayes they di-
ed, notwithſtanding that being borne and brought
vp in this Veni & Cruz or Panan 1 file or fixe yeares, and
then brought to Nombre de Dios, if they eſcaped ficknes
the firſt or ſecond month , they commonly liued in it
as healthily as in any other place : although no ſtranger
(as they ſay) can endure there any long time, without
great danger of death or extreame ficknes,
Though at our firſt comıning into the Towne with
Armes ſo fuddenly, theſe Gentlewomen were in great
fcare: yet becauſe our Captaine had given ſtrait charge
K3

70
Sir Francis Drake
ter:
to all the Symerons (that while they were in his com-
Pany, they ſhould neuer hurt any woman, nor man
that had not weapon in his hand to doe them
hurt, which they erneſtly promiſed, and no leſſe faith-
fully performed) they had no wrong offered them ,
nor any thing taken from them, to the worth of a gar-
:: wherein, albeit they had indeed ſufficient ſafety
and ſecurity, by thoſe of his company, which our
Captaine ſent vnto them , of purpoſe to comfort
them : yet they neuer ceaſed moft earneſtly intreating,
that our Captaine would vouchſafe to come to them
himſelfe for their more ſafety: which when hee did,
in their preſence reporting the charge hce had first
giten, & th’aſſurance of his men, they were comforted.
While the Guards which wee had ( not without
great need) ſett , aſwell on the bridge which wee
were to paſſe ouer, as at the Townes end where wee
entred (they have no other entrance into the Towne
by Land: but from the waters ſide there is one other,
to carry vp and downe their Marchandiſe from their
Fregates) gained vs liberty and quiet to ſtay in this
Townie fome houre and halfe: wee had not onely re-
freſhed our ſelues, but our company and Symerons
had gotten fome good pillage, which our Captaine
allowed and gave them (being not the thing he looked
for ) ſo that it were not too comberſome or heauy in
reſpect of our trauell, or defence of our ſelues. A little
before wee departed , ſome ten or tyvelue horſemen
came from Panama by all likelihood , ſuppoſinge that
wee were gone out of this Towne , for that all was ſo
ſtill and quiet, came to enter the Towne confidently:
but finding their entertainement ſuch as it was
they that could, rode faſter backe againe for
feare,
Reciued.
71

feare , then they had ridden forwards for hope.
Thus wee hauing ended our buſines in this Towne,
and the day beginning to ſpring, wee marched ouer
the Bridge, obſeruing the ſame order that we did be-
fore. There wee were all ſafe in our opinion, as if
wee had beene enuironed with Wall and Trench: for
that no Spaniard without his extreame danger could
follow vs. The rather now, for that our Symerons
were growne very valiant. But our Captaine confi.
dering that hee had a long way to paffe, and that hee
had beene now well neere fortnight from his Ship,
where hee had left his Company but weake by rea-
fon of their ficknes, haftned his jorneys aſinuch as he
might , refuſing to viſit the other Symeron Townes,
(which they earneſtly deſired him )and encouraging
his owne Company with ſuch example and ſpeech
that the way ſeemned much ſhorter. For hee marched.
moſt cheerefully, and affured vs , that hee doubted
not but ere hee left that Coaſt, wee ſhould all bee
bountifully payd and recompenſed for all thoſe paines
taken : but by reaſon of this our Captaines haſte, and
leauing of their Townes, wee marched many dayes
with hungry ſtomackes , inuch againſt the will of our
Symerons : who if wee would haue ſtayed any day from
this continuall journeying, would haue killed for ys
victuall ſufficient.
2 In our abſence, the reſt of the Symerons had built
a little Towne within three leagues off the port where
our Ship lay. There our Captaine was contented
vppon their great and earneſt intreaties to inake ſome
ſtay, for that they alleaged, it was onely built for his
fake. And indeed hee confented the rather, that the
want of ſhooes might bee fupplyed by meanes of the
Symer 079533

72
Sir Francis Drake
Symerons, who were a great helpe vnto vs : all our men
complayning of the tendernes of their feete, whom
our Captaine would himſelfe in their complaint ac-
company fomtiines without cauſe , but ſometimes
with cauſe indeed, which made the reſt to beare the
burthen the more eaſily.
Theſe Symerons during all the time that wee were
with them, did vs continually very good ſeruice, and in
particular in this journey, being vnto vs inſteed of intel-
ligencers, to aduertiſe vs; of guides in our way to direct
Vs; of purueiors to prouide victualls for vs; of houſe-
wrights to build our lodgings; and had indeed able
and ſtrong bodies carying all our neceſſaries, yea
many times when ſome of our company fainted with
ficknes or wearines , two Symerons would carry him
with eaſe berwene them two miles together, and at
other times when need was they would ſhew them-
felues no leſſe valiant then induſtrious and of good
iudgement.
From this Towne, at our firſt entrance in the cuen
on Saturday, our Captaine diſpatched a Symeron with
a token and certaine order to the Maſter, who had
this three weekes, kept good watch againft the enemy,
and ſhifted in the woods for freſh victuall, for the re-
leefe and recouery of our men left aboord. Affoone
as this meſſenger was come to the ſhoare, calling to
our Ship, as bringing fome newes, hee was quickly
fett aboord, by thoſe which longed to heare of our
Captaines fpeeding: but when hee ſhewed the tooth-
pike of gold, which hee faid our Captaine had fent
for a token to Edvard Hixowr, with charge to meete
him at ſuch a Riuer : though the Maſter knew well
the Captaines Tooth-pike : yet by reaſon of his ad-
monition
Feb.22.

Reuiued.
73
monition and ca ueat given him at parting , liec
(though he bewrayed no ſignc of diſtruſting the Sy-
meron ) yet ſtood as amazed, leaſt ſomething had
befallen our Captaine otherwiſe then well. The
Symeron perceiuing this, tolde him , that it was night
when hee was ſent away, ſo that our Captaine could
not ſend any letter, but yet with the point of his
knife, hee wrote foinething vpon the Tooth-pike,
which (hee faid) ſhould be fufficient to gaine cre-
dit to the meſſenger,
OS
Thereupon the Mafter looke vpon it, and ſawe
written By me Francis Drake, wherefore hee beleiued,
and according to the meſſage, prepared what pro-
uifion hee could , and repaired to the mouth of the
River of Tortugos , as the Symerons that went with him
then named it.
That after noone towards three a clocke, we were
come downe to that Riuer, not paſt halfe an houre, be-
fore wee fawe our Pinnace ready come to receiue vs :
which was vnto vs all a double reioycing: firſt that
wee fawe them, and next fo ſoone : our Captaine
with all our Company praiſed God moſt hartily, for
that wee fawe our Pinnace and fellowes againe.
We all ſeemed to theſe who had liued at reſt and
plenty all this while aboard, as inen ſtrangely chang-
ed (our Captaine yet not much changed) in counte.
nance and plight: and indeed our long faſting and
fore trauell might ſomewhat fore-pine and waſte vs:
but the greefe wee drew inwardly, for that wee re-
turned without that Gold and Treaſure wee hoped
for, did no doubt ſhewe her print and footeſteps in
our faces.
1. The reſt of our men which were then iniffed, could
L
not
74
Sir Francis Drake

Feb. 23•
not trauell ſo well as our Captaine, and therefore were
left at the Indian new Towne : and the next day wee
rowed to another Riuer in the bottome of the Bay
and tooke them all aboord.lso onion 10 god
ad Thus being returned from Panamai, to the great
feioycing of our Company, who were throughly re-
uilled with the report wee brought from thence: eft
pecially vnderſtanding our Captaines purpoſe , that
he meant not to leaue off thus , biit would once a-
gaine attempt the ſame journey, whereof they alſo
might bee partakers: our Captaine would not in the
meane time ſuffer this edge and forwardnes of his men
to bee dulled or rebated , by lying ſtill idly vnim-
ployed, as knowing right well by continuall experi-
ences, that no ficknes was more noyfome to impeach
any enterpriſe then delay and idlenes. borso
Therefore conſidering deepely the intelligences of
other places of importance thereabouts , which hec
had
gotten the former yeares : and particularly of
Veragua, a rich Tovvne lying to the Weſtvard, be-
tyveene Nombre de Dios and Nicaragua, vvhere is the
richeſt Mine of fine Gold, that is on this North
fide: hee confulted with his company touching their
opinions , what was to bee done in this meane time,
and how they ſtood affected? Some thought, that it
was moſt neceſſary to ſeeke ſupply of victuals, that
wee might the better bee able to keepe our men cloſe
and in health till our tiine came : and this was eaſy
to bee compaffed, becauſe the Fregates with viêuall
weite without great defence, whereas the Fregates
and Barkes with Treaſure, for the moſt part were vvaft-
ed with great Ships and ſtore of Souldiers. Others
yet iudged , vvee might better beſtowe our time in
intera

Reuiued.
075
intercepting the Fregates of Treaſure : firſt for that
our Magafines and Storehouſes of victuall were reas
fonably furniſhed , and the Country it felfe was fo
plentifull, that every man might prouide for himſelfe
if che worſt befell: and victuall inight hereafter bee
prouided abundantly afwell as now : whereas the
Treaſure neuer floateth vpon the Sea, ſo ordinardly as
at this time, of the Fleets being there, which time in
no wife may bee neglected, on
The Synerons being demanded alſo their opinion,
for that they were experienced in the particularities of
all the Townes thereabouts, as in which , fome or
other of them had ferued : declared that by Veragua
Sinior Pezoro ſometime their Maſter from whome
they fled , dwelt not in the Towne for feare of ſome
furpriſe, but yet not farre off from the Towne , for
his better relecfe : in a very ſtrong houſe of ſtone,
where hee had dwelt ninteene yeares at leaſt, neuer
trauelling from home , voleſſe happily once a yeare to
Carthagene or Nombre de Dios when the Fleets were
there : hee keepech a hundred fluues at leaſt in the
Mines, each flaue being bound to bring in dayly
cleere gaine (all charges deductted ) threc Pezos of
Gold for himſelfe and two for his women ( eight
ſhillings three pence the Pezo) amounting in the
whole to aboue two hundred pound fterling
each day: ſo that hee hath heaped a nighty Maffe of
Treaſure together, which hee keepeth in certaine
great Cheſts of two foote deepe three broad, and
foure long: being, 11otwithſtanding all his wealth, hard
and cruell, not onely to his flaues, but vnto all men,
and therefore neuer going abroad, but with a Guard
of fiue or fixe men to defend his perſon froin danger,
L2
which

76
Sir Francis Drake
which hee feareth extraordinarily from all creatures.
And as touching meanes of compaſſing this purpoſe,
they woulde conduct him fafely through the woods,by
the ſame wayes by which they fled, that hee ſhould
not need to enter their Hauens with danger, but
might come vpon their backes altogether vnlooked
for. And though his houſe were of ſtone ſo that it
could not bee burnt , yet if our Captaine would vn-
dertake th’attempt, they would vndermine and ouer-
throwe, or otherwiſe breake it open, in ſuch ſort,
as wee might haue eaſy acceſſe to his greateſt Trea-
fure. 10
Our Captaine hauing heard all their opinions,
concluded fo , that by deuiding his Company the
two firf different fentences, were both reconciled,
both to bee practiſed and put in vre. Tohn Oxnam
appointed in the Beare, to bee fent Eftwards towards
Telow, to ſee what ſtore of victuals would come a-
thwart his halfe, & himſelfe would to the Weſtward in
the Minian , lye off and on the Cabezas , where was the
greateſt trade and meft ordinary paſſage of thoſe
which tranſported Treaſure from Veraçua and Nicara-
gua to the Fleet: ſo that no time might becloft, nor
opportunity ler flip either for victuall or Treaſure.
As for th'attempt of Veragua or Sinior Pezoros houſe
by land, by marching through the woods, hee li-
ked not off leaſt it might ouer weary his inen by con-
tinuall labor, whom he ſtudied to refreſh and ſtrength-
en , forhis next freuice forenamed.
Therefore vfing our Symerons moft curteouſly, diſ-
miſſing thoſe that were deſirous to their wiues, with
fuch gifts and fauors as were moſt pleaſing , and
entertaining thoſe kill aboord his Ships, which
werc.
Reuiued.
77

were contented to abide with the Company remai-
ning, the Pinnaces departed as was determined, the
Minion to the Weſt, the Beare to the Eaſt.
The Minion about the Cabeças met with a Fregate
of Nicaragus , in which was fome gold, and a Geno-
ma; Pilot, of which Nation there are many in thoſe
Coafts, which had beene at Veragua not paſt eight
dayes before, he being very well entreated, certi-
fied our Captaine of the State of the Towne ,and of
the Harbor, and of a Fregate that was there ready to
come forth within fewe dayes, aboard which there
was aboue a million of Gold, offering to conduct
him to it, if we would doe him his right, for that he
knew the channell very perfectly, ſo that hee could
enter by night ſafely without danger of the fands
and ſhallowes , ( though there be but little water)
and vtterly, vndeſcryed, for that the Towne is file
leagues within the Harbor, and the way by land is
ſo farre abont and difficult through the Woods,
that though wee ſhould by any caſualty be diſcoue-
red, about the point of the Harbor , yet wec might
diſpatch our buſineſſe and depart, before the Towne
could haue notice of our comming. Ac his being
there liee perceived they had heard of Drakes being
on the Coaſt, which had put thein in great feare, as
in all other places ( Pezoro purpoſing to remove him-
felfe to the South Sea) but there was nothing done
to preuent him , their feare being ſo great, that as it is
accuſtomed in ſuch caſes, it excluded Counſell and
bred diſpaire.
Our Captaine conferring with his owne know-
ledge and foriner intelligences, was purpoſed to
haue returned to his Shippe, to haue taken ſome
L3
of

78
Sir Francis Drake
of thoſe symerős which had dwelt with sinicy Pezoro, to be
the more confirmed in this point. But when the Ge-
noway Pilot was very earneſt, to haue the time gai-
ned, and warranted our Captaine of good ſpeed,
if wee delayd not, he dimniſſed the Fregate ſomewhat
lighter to, haften her journey, and with this Pilots ad-
uile, laboured with fayle and oares to get this Harbor
and to enter it by night accorcordingly, conſidering
that this Fregate might now bee gained, and Pezoros
houſe atteinpted hereafter notwithſtanding.de
But when wee were come to the mouth of the Har-
bor, we heard the report of two Chambers, and fara
ther off about a league within the Bay, two other as it
were anſwering them : whereby our Genopaiſe Pilot
coniectured that we were diſcouered: for hec affured
vs, that this order had beene taken, ſince his laſt be
ing there; by reaſon of the aduertiſement and charge,
which the Gouernour of Panama had ſent vnto all the
Coaſt, which euen in their beds lay in great and con-
tinuall feare of our Captaine , and therefore by all
likely-hood, maintained this kinde of warch, at the
charge of the rich Gnuffe Pezoro , for their fecu-
rity.
Thus being defeated of this expectation, wee
found that it was not Gods will that wee ſhould en-
ter at that time : the rather for that the winde, which
had all this time beene Eaſterly, came vp to the
Weſtward, and inuited vs to returne againe to our
March 19. Shippe, where on Sheere Thurſday wee met accor-
ding to appointment with our Beare, and found that
Thee had beftowed her time to more profit then wee
had done.
Boselo
For thee had taken a Fregate in which there
were
9. Reuiued.
79

were tenne men, whome they ſet aſhoare; great ſtore
of Maiz , twenty eight fat Hogs, and two hundred
Hens. Our Captaine diſcharged this Fregate of her March 2®.
lading, and becauſe ſhe was new, ſtrong and of a good
mould, the next day hee tallowed her to make her
a Man of warre : diſpoſing all our Ordinance and
March 21.
prouiſions that were fit for ſuch vſe in her. For we
had heard by the Spaniards laſt taken , that there
were two little Gallies built in Nombre de Dios, to
waft the chagro Fleete to and froe , but were not
yet
both lanched : wherefore hee purpofed now to
aduenture for that Fleete. And to hearten his Com-
pany hee feaſted them that Eaſter-day with great March 22.
cheere and cheerefulneffe , fetting vp his reft vpon
that attempt. of
The next day with the new tallowed Fregate of
Tolow and his Beare, wee fet fayle towards the Cari-
41.18 , where about two dayes after wee landed, and
Atayed till noone : at what time feeing a fayle to che
Weſtwards, as wee deemed making to the Iland:
wee ſet ſayle and plyed towards him, who deſcry-
ing vs, bare vvith vs, till hee perceiued by onr con-
fidence, that wee were no Spaniards, and conje-
Ĉtured that wee were thofe Engliſhmen, of whome
hee had heard long before. And being in great
want, and deſirous to be releeued by vs , hee bare
vp vnder our Lee, and in token of amity, ſhot off
his Lee Ordinance which was not vnanſwered.
Wee ynderſtood that hee was Tetú a French
Captaine of New-bauen, a Man of warre as wee were:
defirous to be releeued by vs. For at our firſt mee-
ting the French Captaine caſt abroad his hands,
and prayed our Captaine to helpe him to ſome wa
March 23
terg
80
Sir Francis Drake

ter, for that hee had nothiug but Wine, and Cider
aboard him, which had brought his men into great
fickeneſſe. Hee had fought vs euer ſince hee firſt
heard of our being vpon the Coaſt, about this fiue
weekes. Our Captaine ſent one aboard him with
fome releefe for the preſent , willing him to follovv
vs to the next Port, vvhere hee ſhould haue both vva-
ter and victuals,
At our comming to anchor hec fent our Captaine
a caſe of Piſtols, and a faire guilt Symeter (vvhich
had beene the late Kings of France, vvhome Mon-
fieur Mongomery hurt in the eye, and vvas giuen him
by Monſieur Stroffe) eur Captaine requited him vvith
a Chaine of gold , and a Tablet vvhich hee vvore.
This Captaine reported vato vs the firſt nevves of
the Maſſacre at Paris, at the King of Nauars Ma-
riage on Saint Bartholomenes day laft, of the Admirall
of France ſlaine in his Chamber, and diuers other
murthers : ſo that hee thought thoſe French-men the
kappieſt vvhich vvere fartheſt from France, novv no
longer France but Frenſie , euen as if all Gaul vvere
turned into Worme-vood and Gall: Italian pradifes
hauing ouer-maftred the French fimplicity. Hee
Thevved vvhat famous and often reports he had heard
of our great riches : hee deſired to knovv of our Cap-
taine vvhich vvay hee might compaſſe his voyage
alſo.
Though vvee had him in fome jealouſie and di-
ftruſt, for all his pretence, becauſe vvee conſidered
more the ſtrength hee had, then the good-vvill hee
might beare vs : yet vpon conſultation among our
ſelues, vvhether it vvere fit to receiue him or no: vvee
reſolued to take him and twenty of his men, to ſerue
vyith

Reuiued.
8
with our Captaine for halfes : in ſuch fort as wee nee-
ded not doubt of their forces, being but twenty, nor
be hurt by their portions, being no greater then ours:
and yér gratifie them in their earneſt ſuite, and ferue
our owne purpoſe, which without more helpe wee
could very hardly haue atcheired. Indeed hee had
feauenty men, and wee now but thirty one: his Ship
was aboue eighty Tunne , and our Fregate not paſt
twenty, our Pinnace nothing neere tenne Tunne: yet
our Captaine thought this proportionable, in confi-
deration that not number of men, but quality of their
judgements and knowledge, were to bee the princi-
pall actors herein: and the French Shippe could doe
no feruice, nor ſtand in any fteed to this enterpriſe
which we intended, and had agreed vpon long before,
both touching the time when it ſhould take begin-
ning, and the place where wee ſhould meet, nainely
at Rio Franciſco.
Hauing thus agreed with Captaine Tou, wee ſent
for the Symer ons as before was decreed : Two of them
were brought aboard our Shippes, to giue the French
aſſurance of this agreement. And as foone as we could
furnith our ſelues and refreſh the French Compa-
ny, which vvas within fiue or fixe dayes ( by bringing
them to the Magazine which was the neereft, where they
were ſupplyed by vs in ſuch fort, as they proteſted
they were beholding to vs for all their lives ) taking
twenty of the French and fifteene of ours with our Sy-
merons, leauing both our Shippes in fafe Roade, wec
mand our Fregate and two Pinnaces (wee had for-
merly funcke our Lyon, ſhortely after our returne from
Panama, becauſe wee had not men ſufficient to man
her) and went towards Rio Franciſco, which becauſe it
M
had

82
Sir Francis Drake
had not water enough for our Fregate: cauſed vs to
leave her at the Cabeças, mand with Engliſh and French,
in the charge of Robert Doble, to ſtay there without at-
tempting any chaſe, vntill the returne of our Pinna-
ces. And then beare to Rio Franciſco, where both Cap
March 31. taines landed with ſuch force as aforeſaid, and charged
them that had the charge of the Pinnaces, to be the e
the fourth day next following without any faile. And
thus knowing that the cariages went now daily from
Panama to Nombre de Dios, vve proceeded in couere
through the Woods , tovvards the high way that lea-
deth betyvene them.
It is fiue leagues accounted by Sea, betyveene Ria
Franciſco and Nombre de Dios, but that vyay vvhich vvee
marched by land, vve found it aboue feauen leagues,
Wee marched as in our former journey to Panama,
both for order and ſilence, to the great vvonder of the
French Captaine and Company, vvho proteſted they
knevy not by any meanes hovy to recouer the Pinnaces,
if the Symerons ( to vyhome vvhat our Capraine com-
manded was a law, though they little regarded the
French, as hauing no truſt in them) ſhould leaue vs:
our Captaine aſſured him, there vvas no cauſe of doubt
of them of vvhom he had had fuch former tryall.
When we vvere come vvithin an Engliſh mile of the
vvay, vvee ſtayed all night, refreſhing our ſelues in
great ftilnefle in a moſt conuenient place, vvhere vve
heard the Carpenters , being many in number vvora
king vpon their Shippes, as they vfually doe by reaſon
of the great heat of the day in Nombre de Dios,& might
heare the Moyles comming from Panana, by reaſon of
the aduantage of the ground.
April 1. The next morning vpon hearing of that great
number

Reuiued.
83
number of Belles, the Symerons rejoyced exceeding-
ly, as though there could not haue befallen them a
more joyfull accident, cheefely hauing beene diſap-
pointed before. Now they all aſſured vs, wee ſhould
haue more gold and ſiluer then all of vs could beare
away, as in truth it fell out.
For there came three Recoes, one of fifty Moyles,
the other two of feauenty each, euery of which ca-
ryed three hundred pound waight of filuer, which
in all amounted to neere thirty Tunne. Wee putting
our felues in readineſſe , went downe neere the way
to heare the Belles, where we ſtayed not long, but
we ſawe of what mettall they were made, and tooke
ſuch hold on the heads of the foremoſt and hindmoſt
Moyles, that all the reſt ſtayed and lay downe as their
manneris,
b. Theſe three Recoes were guarded with forty fiue
Souldiers or their abouts, fifteene to each Reco',
which cauſed fome exchange of Bullets and Arrowes
for a time, in which conflict the French Captaine was
fore wounded with hayle-ſhot in the belly, and one
Symeron flaine: but in the end theſe Souldiers thought
it the beſt way to leave their Moyles with vs,
ſeeke for more helpe abroad : in which meane time
wee tooke ſome paine to eaſe fome of the Moyles,
which were heavieſt loaden of their cariages. And be-
cauſe wee our felues were ſomewhat weary, wee were
contented with a few barres and quoits of gold, as
wee could well cary: burying about fifteene Tunne
offiluer, partly in the boroughs which the great Land-
crabs had made in the earth , and partly vnder old
Trees which were fallen thereabout, and partly in the
Land and grauell of a Riuer, not very deepe of water.
Thus
and to
M2

84
Sir Francis Drake
Thus when about this buſineſſe wee had ſpent ſome
two houres, and had diſpoſed of all our matters, and
were ready to march backe , the very felfe ſame way
that we came, wee heard both Horſe and Foote
comming as it ſeemed to the Moyles, for they neuer
followed vs, after we were once entred the Woods:
where the French Captaine by reaſon of his wound,
not able to trauell farther, ſtayed, in hope that ſome
reſt would recoueſ him better ſtrength.
But after wee had marched ſome two-leagues,
vpon the French Souldiers coinplaint, that they inil
ſed one of their men alſo, examination being made
whether hee were ſlaine or no : it was found that hee
had druncke much Wine, and ouerlading himſelfe
with pillage, and haſting to goe before vs , had loft.
himſelfe in the Woods. And as wce afterwards knew,
hee was taken by the Spaniards that euening, and
vpon torture, diſcouered ynto them where we had hid-
den our Treaſure.
Wecontinued our march all that and the next day,
towards Rio Franciſco, in hope to meet with our Pinna-
cęs, but when we came thither, looking out to Sea, wee
ſavve feauen Spaniſh Pinnaces, which had beenc
ſearching all the Coaſts thereabout : vvhereupon vvee
mightily fufpected, that they had taken or ſpoiled
our Pinnaces, for that our Captaine had giuen fo
Straight charge, that they ſhould repaire to this place
this after-noone from the Cabeç as vvhere they rode,
vvhence to our ſight, theſe Spaniards Pinnaces did
April 2:3
come,
But the night before, there had fallen
very
much
raine, with much wefterly winde, which as it enfor,
ced, the Spaniæds to recuruchome the ſooner, by rca-
fon

Reuiued.
85
fon of the ſtorme : fo it kept our Pinnaces, that they
could not keepe th’appointment, becauſe the wind was
contrary,& blewe ſo ſtrong, that with their Oares they
could all thac day get but halfe the way. Notwithſtand-
ing, if they had followed our Captaines direction in
ſetting forth ouer night, while the winde ferued, they
had arriued at the place appointed with farre leffe la-
bour, but with farre more danger becauſe that very day
at noone,
the Spaniſh Shallops mand out of purpoſe
from Nombre de Dios, were come to this place to take
our Pinnaces: imagining where wee were, after they
had heard of our intercepting of the Treaſure,
Our Captaine ſeeing the Shallops, feared leaſt
hauing taken our Pinnaces, they had compelled our
men by torture, to confeſſe where his Fregate and
Ships were. Therefore in this diſtreſſe
. and perplexi-
ty, the company miſdoubting that all meanes of re-
turne to their Country were cut off, and that their
Treaſure then, ferued thein to finall purpoſe : our
Captaine comforted and encouraged vs all, fay-
ing : wee ſhould venter no farther then hee diá:
it was no time now to feare : but rather to hafte
to preuent that which was feared: if the Enemy haue
preuailed againſt our Pinnaces, which God forbid,
yet they muſt hauc time to ſearch thein, time to ex-
anine the Mariners; time to execute their reſoluti-
on after it is deterinined: before all theſe times bee
taken, wec may get to our Ships if yee will, though
not poſſibly by land, becauſe of the Hills, Thickets
and Riuers, yet by water. Let vs therefore make a
Raft with the Trees that are here in readincs, as offe-
ring themſelues being brought downe the Riuer, hap-
pily this laft ſtorme , and put our felues to Sea. Di
M3

86
Sir Francis Drake
not rowe.
will bee one, who will bee the other? lohn Smith
offered himſelfe, and two Frenchmen that could
fwiinme very well, deſired they might accompany our
Captaine , as did the Symeron likewiſe ( who had
beene very earneſt with our Captaine to haue march-
ed by land though it were fixteene dayes journey,
and in caſe the Ships had beene ſurpriſed,
to
haue
aboade alwaies with them) eſpecially Pedro, who yet
was faine to bee left behinde, becauſe hee could
esota
The Raft was fitted and faſt bound; a Sayle of
a Bisket fack prepared; an Oare was ſhaped out of
a young Tree to ſerue in fteed of a Rudder, to direct
their courſe before the winde.
At his departure hee comforted the Company,
by promiſing, that if it pleaſed God, hee ſhould put
his foote in ſafety aboard his Fregate , hee would,
God willing, by one means or other get them all
aboard, in deſpite of all the Spa iards in the Indies
In this manner putting off to the Sca, hee ſayled
fome three leagues , fitting vp to the waſte continual-
ly in water, & at euey furge of the waue to the armepits,
for the ſpace of fixe houres, vpon this Raft, what with
the parching of the Sunne and what with the bearing
of the ſalt water, they had all of them their skins
much fretted away.
At length God gave them the fight of two Pinna-
ces turning towards them with much winde, but
with farre greater joy to hiin, that could eaſily
coniecture, and did cheerefully declare to thoſe three
vvith him, that they vvere our Pinnaces, and that
all vvas ſafe , fo that there vvas no cauſe of feare.
But fee, the Pinnaces not ſeeing this Raft, nor fuf-
pecting

Reuiued.
87
pecting any ſuch matter, by reaſon of the vvinde and
night growing on, were forced to runne into a coue
behinde the point, to take ſuccour. for that night:
which our Capraine ſeeing, and gathering, becauſe
they came not forth againe , that they would Anchor
there , put his raft aſhore , and ranne by land about
the point, where hee found them, who vpon ſight
of him, made as much haft as they could to take
him and his Company aboard. For our Captaine,
of purpole to try what haſt they could and would
make in extremity : himſelfe ranne in great haſte,
and ſo willed the other three with hin, as if they
had beene chaſed by the Enemy : which they the
rather fufpected, becauſe they ſaw fo fewe with him.
And after his comming aboard , when , they de-
manding, how all his Company did ? hee anſwered
coldly, well: they all doubted, that all went ſcarce
well. But hee willing to ridd all doubts, and fill them
with ioy, tooke out of his bofome a Quoit of Gold,
thanking God that our voyage was made. And to
the Frenchmen hee declared, how their Captaine in-
deed was left behinde, fore wounded and two of
his Company with him : but it ſhould bee no hin-
drance to them.
That night our Captaine with great paine of his April 4,
Company, rowed to Roo Faanciſco :where hee tooke
the reſt in, and the Treaſure which wee had brought
with vs: making ſuch expedition, that by dawning
of the day, we fet ſayle backe againe, to our Fre-
gate, and from thence directly to our Ships : where
affoone as wee arriued, our Captaine deuided by
weight, the Gold and Siluer into two euen por-
tions, betwene the French:, and the Engliſh.
Abouts

88 Sir Francis Drake
About a fortnight after, when we had ſet allthings
in order, and taking out of our Ship all ſuch neceſſá-
ries as wee needed for our Fregate, had left and
giuen her to the spa iards , whome wee had all this
time detayned, wee put out of that Harbor, together
with the French Ship , riding ſome fewe dayes as
mong the Cabezas.
In the meane time our Captaine made a ſecret com-
poſition with the Symerons , that twelue of our men
and ſixteene of theirs, ſhould make another voyage,
to get intelligence in what caſe the Country ſtood,
and if it might be, recouer Monſieur Torts the French
Captaine , at leaſt-wiſe to bring away that which was
hidden in our former ſurprize and could not then bee
conueniently caried.
John Oxmans and Thomas Shermell were put in truſt
for this ſervice, to the great content of the whole
Company, who conceiued greateſt hope of thein
next our Captaine, whome by no mcanes they would
condiſcend to ſuffer to aduenture againe this tine :
yet hee himſelfe rowed to ſet them aſhore at Rio
Franciſco: finding his labor well imployed both other-
wiſe, and alſo in Lauing one of thoſe two French-
men that had remained willingly to accompany their
wounded Captaine.
For this Gentleman haning eſcaped the rage of
the Spaniards , was now comwing towards our Pin-
dece, vvhere hee fell dovvne on his keees, bleſſing
God for the time , chat euer our Captaine vvas borne,
vvho novv beyond all his hope, vvas become his de-
liuerer, Hee being demanded vvhat vvas become of
his Captaine and other fellow, ſhevved that vvith-
in halfe an hcure after our departure, the spiniards had
Olier-

Keurued.
89
ouergotten them, and tooke his Captaine and other
fellovve : hee onely eſcaped by flight , hauing caſt
avvay all his carriage, and ainong the reſt one Box
of Ievvells , that hee might fly the fvvifter from the
purſuers: but his fellovv tooke it vp and burthened
himſelfe ſo fore, that hee could make no fpeed, as
eaſily hee might othervviſe, if hee vvould haue caſt
downe his pillage, and layd afide his couetous ininde:
as for the filuer, which we had hidden thereabout in the
earth and the ſands , he thought that it was all gone;
for that he thought there had beene neere two thou-
ſand Spaniards and Negroes there, to dig and ſearch
for it.
This report notwithſtanding, our purpoſe held,
and our men were ſent to the ſaid place, where they
found that the earth, euery way a mile diſtant had
beene digged and turned vp in euery place of any like-
lihood , to haue any thing hidden in it. And yet ne-
uertheleffe , for all that narrow ſearch, all our mens
labour was not quite loft: but ſo confidered, that the
third day after their departure, they all returned ſafe
and cheerefull, with as much ſiluer as they and all the
Symerons could finde, (viz: thirteene barres of filuer,
and ſome fewe quoits of gold) with which they were
preſently embarqued without empeachment, repai-
ring with no leſſe ſpeed then joy to our Fregate.
Now was it high time to thinke of homewards,
hauing ſped our ſelues as wee deſired : and therefore
our Captaine concluded to viſit Rio grand, once againe,
to fee if he could ineet with any fufficient Ship or Bark,
to cary victuall enough to ferue our turne home-
wards, in which wee might in fafety and ſecurity em-
barque our ſelues.
N
The
go
Sir Francis Drake

The French-inen hauing formerly gone from vs
as ſoone as they had their ſhares at our firſt returne
with the Treafure, as being very deſirous to returne
home into their Countrey, and our Captaine as de-
firous to diſiniſfe thein, as they were to be diſmiſſed;
for that hee foreſawe they could not in their Shippe
auoid the danger of being taken by the Spaniards, if
they ſhould make out any Men of warre for them
while they lingred on the Coaſt, and hauing alſo
beene then againe releeued with victuals by vs :
Now at our meeting of them againe, were very loach
to leaue vs, and therefore accompanied vs very kinde-
ly as farre vp as Saint Barnards, and farther would,
but that they durſt not adventure ſo great danger, for
that we had intelligence, that the Fleete was ready
to fer ſayle for Spaine, riding at the entry of Carthagena.
Thus wee departed from them, paffing hard by,
Carthagena, in the fight of all the Fleete, with a Flagge
of Saint George in the maine top of our Fregate, with
fille ſtreamers and ancients downe to the water, ſayling
forward with a large winde, till wee caine within
two-leagues of the Riuer, being all lowe land, and
darke night : where to preuent the ouer-ſhooting
of the Riuer in the night, we lay off & on bearing finall
fayte, till that about mid-night the winde vee-
ring to the Eaſtward, by two of the clocke in the
orning, a Fregate from Rio grand paſſed hard by,
vs, bearing alſo but finall fayle. We falured them with
our ſhot and Arrowes, they anſwered vs with Ba-
ſes: but wee got aboard them, and tooke ſuch or-
der, that they were content againſt their willes to
depart a ſhoare and to leaue vs this Fregate which was
of twenty five Tunne, loaded with Maiz, and Hens
mor
ud

Reuiued.
91
and Hogs ,& ſome Honey, in very good time fit for our
vſe : for the Honey eſpecially was a notable releeuer
and preſeruer of our craſed people.
The next morning as ſoone as wee ſet thoſe Spa-
niards a ſhoare on the inaine, wee ſet our courſe for
the Cabeças without any ſtop, whither wee came about
fiue dayes after. And being at anchor, preſently wee
houe out all the Maiz aland, ſauing three Buts which
we kept for our ſtore : and carying all our prouiſions
a ſhoare, wee brought both our Fregates on the Ce-
vine, and new tallowed them.
Here wee ſtayed about ſeauenight, trimming and
rigging our Fregates, boarding and ſtowing our pro-
uiſions, tearing abroad and burning our Pinnaces, that
the Symerons might hatie the yron-worke,
About a day or two before our departure, our
Captaine willed Pedro and three of the cheefeſt of the
Symerons to goe through both his Fregates, to ſee
what they liked, promiſing to giue it them whatſoever
it were, ſo it were not ſo neceſſary as that hee could
not returne into England without it. And for their
wifes hee would himſelfe ſeeke olit fomne filkes or lin-
nen that might gratifie them: which while hee was
chooſing out of his Trunckes, the Cymeter which
Captaine Teth had giuen to our Captaine, chanced
to be taken forth in Pedras fight, which hee ſeeing grew
ſo much in liking thereof, that hee accounted of no-
thing elſe in reſpect of it, and preferred it before all
that could be given him : yer imagining, that it was
no leſſe eſteemed of our Captaine, durft not himſelfe
open his mouth to craue or commend it :but made one
Francis Tucker to be his meane to breake his minde, pro-
miſing to giue him a fine quoit of gold, which yet hee
had
N2

92
Sir Francis Drake
had in ſtore , if he would but mouie our Captaine for it;
and to our Captaine himſelfe, hee would giue foure
other great quoits, which hee had hidden, intending
to haue referued them till another voyage.
Our Captaine being accordingly moved by Francis
Tucker could haue beene content to haue'made no ſuch
exchange, but yet defirous to content him, that had
deſerued ſo well, hee gave it him with many good
words, who receiued it with no little joy, affirming
that if hee ſhould giue his wife and children ( which
hee loued dearely) in liew ofit, hee could not ſuffi-
ciently recompence it, (for hee would preſent his
King with it, who hee knew would make him a great
man, euen for this very guifts fake ) yet in gratuity
and ſteed of other requitall of this jewell, hee de-
fired our Captaine to accept theſe foure peeces of
gold, as a token of his thankefulneſſe to him, and a
pawne of his faithfulneſſe during life.
Our Captaine receiued it in moſt kinde fort; but tooke
it not to his own benefit,but cauſed it to be caſt into the
whole aduenture, ſaying, ifhee had not beene ſet forth
to that place, he had not attained ſuch a commoditie,
and therefore it was juſt that they which bare part with
him of his burthen in ſetting him to Sea, ſhould enjoy
the propertion of his benefit whatſoeuer at his returne.
Thus with good laue and liking wee tooke our
leave of that people, ferting ouer to the Ilands of
whence the next day after , wee ſet ſayle
towards Cape Saint Anthony, by which wee paſt with a
large winde: but preſently being to ſtand for th' Hauana,
wee were faine to ply to the windward ſome three or
foure dayes: In which plying wee fortuned to take a
fmall Barke, in which were two or three hundred
Hides

Reuiued. d
93
GS TO DIT
Hides, and one moft neceſſary thing, which foodys
in great ſteed, viz, a Pumpe, which wee let in our
Fregate: their Barke, becauſe it was nothing fit for
our ſeruice , our Captaine gaue them to carry then
home.
And ſo returning to Cape Saint Anthony, and lan-
ding there wee refreſhed our ſelues, and beſides great
ſtore of Turtles egges, found by day in the
wee tooke two hundreth and fifty Turtles by night:
wee poudred and dryed fome of them, which did vs
good feruice, the reſt continued but a ſmall tiine.
There were at this time, belonging to Carthagene,
Nombre de Dios, Rio grand, Santa Martha, Rio de Hacha,
Venta Cruz, Ver agua, Nicaragua, the Honduras, lamai-
ca &c. aboue two hundred Fregates , ſome of a hun-
dred and twenty Tunnes, other but of tenne or twelue
Tunne, but the moſt of thirty or forty Tunne,
which all had entercourſe betweene Carthagene and
Nombre de Dios, the moſt of which , during our abode
in thoſe parts wee tooke, and ſome of them twice or
thrice cach, yet neuer burnt nor funcke any, vnleſſe
they were made out Men of warre againſt vs, or layd as
ftales to entrappe vs. And of all the men taken in theſe
feuerall veſſelles, wee neuer offered any kinde of vio-
lence to any, after they were once come ynder our
power, but either preſently diſmiſſed them in ſafety,
or keeping them with vs ſome longer time, (as
fome of them wee did ) wee alwayes prouided for
their ſuſtenance as for our felues, and ſecured thein
from the rage of the Symerons againſt them, till at laſt,
the danger of their diſcouering where our Shippes lay
being ouer paſt , ( for which onely cauſe wee kept them
priſoners ) we ſet them alſo free.
N3
Mаnуу

94
Sir Francis Drake
Many ſtrange Birds, Beaſtes and Fiſhes, beſides
Fruits, Trees, Plants, and the like, were feene and
obſerued of vs in this journey, which willingly wee
precermit as haſtening to the end of our voyage, which
froin this Cape of Saint Anthony, wee intended to fi-
niſh, by ſayling the directeft and ſpeedieſt way home-
ward, and accordingly, euen beyond our owne expe-
Eation moſt happily performed,
For whereas our Captaine had purpoſed to touch
at New-found-land, and there to haue watered, which
would haue beene ſome let vnto vs, though wee ſtood
in great want of water, yet God Almighty ſo proui-
ded for vs, by giuing vs good fore of raine water,
that we were ſufficiently furniſhed :and within twenty
three day's wee paſt from the Cape of Florida, to the
Iles of Silley, and ſo arriued at Plimouth, on Sunday
about Sermon-time, Auguſt the ninth 1573. at what
time the newes ofour Captaines returne brought into
his, did ſo ſpeedily paſſe ouer all the Church, and ſur-
paſſe their mindes, with deſire and delight to ſee him,
that very fewe or none remained with the Preacher, all
haſtening to ſee the euidence of Gods loue and bleſſing
towards our Gracious Queene and Countrey, by the
fruite of our Captaines labour and ſucceſſe.
TI! 1bay 5m
Joeln at male Soli Deo gloria.
a) o ogrol
107 bubinonoFINI S. 50
Gesel
locid2 10 gainstoolbaini lo ngabos
modoswiso vloco dallwiol.1910 and
Mammolo (astel

ERRATA
Page 7. lines 26, and 33; for Raufe rcade Ranſe : as alſo in other pages,
1. 32. for Sallop, read Shallop. p. 11.1.2. pray, read Bay. p. 14. 1.3.
fent of, read fent ſome. p.17.1. 18. vtterly time, leaue out time: 1.119.rcad
(for that time) p. 18. 1. 5. read, maine care of our Captaine was reſp.
1:35. feare read, feares. p. 19.1.4. lo he, read, hero. p. 37.1.2. leaft all,
read, left at. p.43.1. 23. atttemed, read, attempted. P.45.1.19. free
ſafety,read, free in ſafety. p.48.1.11.amongſt two read, amongſt vs cwo. 1.16.
nor , read, mot. p.50.1.30. attache, read attached. p. $2.1.16, or them
ill, read, or giue themill. 1.19. Edward, read, Ellis. p. 53.1.5. Edward,
read, I lis. p.55.1.23. Limes, read, Limons: and whereuer you finde
it, read, Limons. p. 56.1.16. as they came, read, as we came. P. 58.1.31.
ridge a, read, a ridge. p.60.1.11. wont pue , read, wont to put.
1.4. hickeſt, read, thickeſt, 1. 12. paete, reade, parte. 1.24. aemanded,
Yoad demanded. P. 68.1.39. they our, rcad, they ſaw our, 1.33. thickers,
read, chickeſt. p.76.1.25. Peroros, read Pezoros. 1.31. to their wiues read,
ro goe to their wines. p. 87. 125. Roo read, Rio.
p. 67.

*3*30m notito riöllnes: soolo balto
c. bons outiqolds, collse med
weilsmis long, tit. mottelost
201 20w singolo 12 opietat C)
alte doia 1.1.9. 2970 barnet
2017.11. .boquis nebo si le
aromagnorilorowolsosul din zolo.252
mora 10 boronda Song. Igoro
willbsorchhellim dionis nomen
fo Hoy 1910T In: romilly but
13. Show escombeds aset 1.077
417033now ow.log
ekobromas.lt 3000 til 20 o
einziens
o207 TL 201... a bit
colo 1.18.1









1826 Nichols, Philip