Drake introduced to Queen Elizabeth--Describes his birth, education,
early voyages, adventures with Hawkins, capture of treasure, and first
sight of the South Sea--Exploit and death of Oxenham--Drake's
liberality--His plan unfolded--The Queen's sanction--A squadron of five
vessels equipped--Sails on 15th of November, 1577--Puts into Mogador--
visited by Moorish chiefs--A seaman carried off by the Moors--Small
prizes taken--Drake's generosity--Touches at the Cape de Verdes--The
inhabitants fly--Expedition on shore--No provisions to be obtained--A
Portugal ship taken, and the pilot, Nuno da Silva, detained--The
Portugals liberated, and a pinnace given them--Captain Doughty's
misconduct--The coast of Brazil sighted--Native alarm fires seen--A
tempest--The _Christopher_ separates--Squadron enters Rio de la Plata--
The _Christopher_ returns--Sails along the coast--Another storm--Caunter
lost sight of--Approach of winter--The Admiral in danger--Rescued by
Captain Thomas of the _Marigold_--Lands--Natives fly--Their huts
visited--Mode of catching ostriches--The squadron collected--The
_Elizabeth_ broken up--Natives appear--Friendly intercourse--The
_Christopher_ run on shore--The _Mary_ recovered--Squadron anchors in
Port Saint Julien.
One morning, in the early part of the year 1577, Queen Elizabeth was
seated in the private audience-chamber of her palace, attended by her
ladies in waiting and two or three courtiers, who stood round in
graceful attitudes, eager to catch her words, and equally ready to make
suitable replies to the remarks of her Majesty, when a page entered and
announced her Vice-Chamberlain, Sir Christopher Hatton, attended by a
sea captain--Master Francis Drake--whom he craved permission to
introduce.
"Admit them," said the Queen. "I have long desired to hear from Captain
Drake's own lips an account of his adventures."
In a brief space of time the Vice-Chamberlain entered, followed by a
person who in appearance differed much from the gaily habited courtiers
in attendance on her Majesty. He was a man apparently between thirty
and forty years of age, with the air and carriage of a seaman. His
figure, somewhat below the middle height, was exquisitely proportioned;
his chest broad, and his head round and well formed. Though sunburnt,
his complexion was naturally fair and sanguine, his countenance open and
cheerful, his hair of a brown colour, and his beard full and carefully
trimmed. His large and lively eyes beamed with intelligence, and his
mouth was firm set, while his whole countenance showed a quick and
resolute character.
Bowing low as he entered, he was introduced in due form. He replied in
a free and unembarrassed manner to the questions the Queen put to him.
"I have been well informed, Captain Drake, of the good service you have
rendered to the Earl of Essex with your three frigates in subduing the
rebellion in Ireland; but I desire to know more of your earlier exploits
in the West Indies, and I shall be pleased to be informed of your birth
and parentage."
Exhibiting due modesty in all he said, Captain Drake replied that he had
been at sea from his boyhood. He was the eldest among twelve sons of
Master Edward Drake, Vicar of Upnor, and was born in the year 1544 in a
cottage near Tavistock, on the banks of the Tavey. From his earliest
days, having constantly seen the royal ships anchored in the Medway, his
desire had been to follow the sea; and to gratify his wishes, when he
was of an age to leave home his father placed him with the master of a
bark, in which he used to trade along the shore, and sometimes to carry
merchandise into Zealand and France. His master dying, left him his
bark as a mark of his good-will, and when but eighteen he became purser
of a vessel frequenting the ports of Biscay. He shortly afterwards
entered a ship commanded by Master John Hawkins, engaged in the slave
trade. Having obtained a cargo partly by the sword and partly by other
means at Sierra Leone, they were conveyed across the Atlantic to the
island of Hispaniola.
Having made a voyage or two with Master Hawkins, he obtained the command
of the _Judith_, a bark of fifty tons, one of a squadron under the same
Admiral.
The ships having taken in their cargoes of slaves as usual, Master
Hawkins sailed for the Canaries and the Spanish Main, that he might
exchange his freight for silver, sugar, and other commodities most
valued at home. On passing the town of Rio de la Hacha, Master Hawkins
stormed it, because the Governor refused to trade with him.
"Such an act was not in accordance with our will," observed the Queen.
"But go on, Master Drake."
"Reaching the Gulf of Mexico, the squadron was compelled to seek shelter
in the port of San Juan del Ulloa. At first the Spaniards believed that
we were part of a fleet they were expecting, and were in great
consternation when, coming on board, they discovered their mistake. Our
commander assured them that our sole desire was to seek shelter from
stress of weather, and procure provisions and merchandise, for which he
would pay, but he deemed it prudent to detain two persons of consequence
as hostages. His proposals were accepted. Near us lay twelve merchant
ships, laden with two hundred thousand pounds' worth of goods; but,
though we might easily have mastered them, the Admiral, knowing that it
would displease your Majesty, refrained from doing so.
"While waiting for the answer from the Viceroy of Mexico, the expected
Spanish fleet arrived with a cargo valued at one million eight hundred
thousand pounds. We were sorely tempted, it must be confessed, to go
out and attack them, and we knew that if they were admitted our safety
would be jeopardised, as the haven is confined and the town populous.
"At length the Viceroy agreed to the terms proposed by Master Hawkins,
and we in a friendly way exchanged visits with the officers of the newly
arrived fleet. Thus lulled into security, we did not dream of the vile
treachery the Spaniards were preparing, until we observed an unusual
bustle on board their vessels, and soldiers in great numbers gathering
on shore. Master Hawkins was at dinner in his cabin on board the
_Minion_, when a Spaniard, Villa Nueva by name,--but an old villain he
was by nature, your Majesty will allow,--attempted to plunge a dagger,
which he had concealed in his sleeve, into the Admiral's breast. But
Master Hawkins was too quick for him, and, having him bound, sprang on
deck, where he saw the Spaniards from their admiral's ship, which lay
close to the _Minion_, about to board her.
"On this, shouting `God and Saint George! Upon those traitorous
villains, and rescue the _Minion_!' he and his men drove back the
Spaniards and set their ship on fire.
"He then made sail and stood for the mouth of the harbour, though
surrounded by foes. I, on board my little bark, the _Judith_, followed
his example, firing at the treacherous Spaniards, who in their ships and
boats endeavoured to overwhelm us. They succeeded too well with the
rest of the squadron, all of which were captured and their crews
butchered. This foul deed was done, although we had in no way offended
the Spaniards. Your Majesty will doubtless see that we have just cause
to retaliate on those wretches for their unexampled treacherous
cruelties towards your Majesty's faithful subjects.
"On my arrival in England, feeling sure that I was acting justly, I
fitted out two ships, the _Dragon_ and _Swan_, with which I sailed to
the Spanish Main; and in the following year I again went out in the
_Swan_, more to obtain information of those seas than to make reprisals,
although I captured not a few goodly barks laden with merchandise.
"In 1572 I again sailed in command of the _Pacha_, of seventy tons, and
the _Swan_, of twenty-five tons, of which my brother John, who had taken
to the sea, was captain. Reaching the coast of America, we were joined
by another bark, belonging to the Isle of Wight; and now, having
obtained the friendship of a tribe of natives, the Cimarrones, we
considered ourselves sufficiently strong to attack the town of Nombre de
Dios, where we expected to obtain a rich booty; but, disappointed in
this, led by one of our dark-skinned allies, we resolved to intercept
the mules bringing treasure from Panama to the aforesaid place. We
therefore left our squadron in the Sound of Darien, and marched
overland. Though again at first disappointed, we at length fell in with
a train of fifty mules laden with gold and silver, of which we took
possession. It was on this journey that the chief of the Cimarrones,
taking me by the hand, led me to the top of a high tree in which steps
had been cut, and where twelve men might sit with ease. Thence I could
see, at the same time, the Atlantic, from whence we came, and that
Southern Ocean so greatly desired, on the other hand; for on both sides,
the trees having been cut down, nothing impeded our view. On this,
calling up my men, and among them my trusty follower John Oxenham, I
prayed Almighty God of His goodness to give me life and leave to sail
once in an English ship on that sea. On this, John Oxenham swore that,
unless I should beat him from my company, he would, by God's grace,
follow me. As I was narrating to your Majesty, we secured the gold and
part of the silver; but, as we could not carry the remainder across the
mountains, it was concealed until an opportunity might occur for our
removing it. By a sad mishap, one of our seamen fell into the hands of
the Spaniards, and when I sent a party to recover the treasure, it had
been carried off; the poor fellow, as we found, having been put to the
torture to reveal its hiding-place. On our march back we surprised and
burnt Venta Cruz, and obtained more booty, returning to our ships just
in time to escape a large body of Spaniards, who had been assembled to
attack us.
"We safely reached Plymouth on Sunday the 9th of August, 1573, when the
people in the church, hearing of our arrival, rushed out to welcome us,
leaving few to hear the preacher finish his discourse.
"Though not relating to myself, I must tell your Majesty how my faithful
friend John Oxenham sailed away forthwith, accompanied by carpenters and
other artificers, determined to do that which never man had before
enterprised. Crossing the Isthmus of Darien, he built a pinnace, in
which he embarked on the South Sea. Having taken two prizes, he was
returning with his booty across the isthmus to his ship, when he was
assailed by overwhelming numbers of the Spaniards and made prisoner. Of
his sad fate I have gained tidings. He was carried to Lima, and there,
according to the vile custom of those foes of the human race, cruelly
tortured and put to death. It makes the heart of a man burn within him
to avenge such treatment of your Majesty's subjects."
The Queen did not reply, but she had no desire to check the ardour of
the brave captain.
"Master Drake has not mentioned to your Majesty a circumstance of which
I have been told," observed Sir Christopher Hatton. "Before coming
away, he presented his cutlass to the chief of the Cimarrones, who had
shown a great longing for it; and when in exchange the cacique gave him
four large wedges of gold, Master Drake, declining to appropriate them,
threw them into the common stock, observing he thought it just that such
as bore the charge of so uncertain a voyage on his credit, should share
the utmost advantage that the voyage produced; and good fortune
deservedly attended him to the end of his enterprise."
"On what matter have you desired this interview, Captain Drake?" asked
the Queen.
"It is one which, for obvious reasons, Master Drake desires should not
be made public," observed Sir Christopher Hatton.
On this her Majesty signed to her courtiers to retire out of earshot,
and then ordered Drake to speak. He accordingly, craving her Majesty's
sanction, and pointing out its importance, and the gold and advantage
which her kingdom might derive from its prosperous issue, unfolded his
design. His ambition was, he said, to conduct a fleet of stout ships,
well armed, through the straits which the Portuguese Magalhaens had
discovered more than half a century before, into that Pacific Ocean
which he had navigated from east to west, and on which John Oxenham's
bark had floated, and he himself had besought Almighty God that he too
might sail in an English ship. He spoke not at the time of attacking
the Spaniards wherever he should meet them, and depriving them of the
wealth they had procured by the death of the thousands of helpless
Indians they had enslaved, knowing that her Majesty, since she was at
peace with Spain, could not openly approve of such a proceeding.
What more was said need not be repeated; but as he took his parting
farewell of the Queen, her Majesty presented him with a sword, saying,
"We do account that he which striketh at thee, Drake, striketh at us."
With this verbal warrant, the brave Captain lost no time in making
energetic preparations for his projected voyage. He found no lack of
followers eager to share his fortunes; but, according to the best of his
judgment, he chose men of experience and tried bravery, on whom he could
depend. He gave out that the squadron was intended for a trading voyage
to Alexandria, though neither his officers nor the ever-watchful
Spaniards were deceived by those pretexts.
Five ships were procured, and, being rapidly fitted out, were supplied
with all necessary stores and munitions. Drake himself superintended
everything, down to the minutest point, so that nothing required might
be wanting. It was to this, as well as to the interest he took in his
men, and to his superior seamanship and enterprise, that much of his
success was owing.
His squadron consisted of five vessels,--the _Pelican_, of a hundred
tons burden, in which he himself sailed; the second being the
_Elizabeth_, vice-admiral, burden eighty tons, Captain John Winter; the
third the _Marigold_, a bark of thirty tons, Captain John Thomas; the
fourth the _Swan_, a fly-boat of fifty tons, Captain John Chester; the
fifth the _Christopher_, a pinnace of fifteen tons, Captain Thomas Moon.
These ships were manned with a hundred and sixty-four able seamen,
officers, and others, and among other things carried were several
pinnaces, ready framed in pieces, to be set up in smooth water as might
be required. He had a band of musicians, his cabins were richly
furnished, and the services for the table, and many utensils even
belonging to the cook room, were of silver. All things being ready, the
Admiral and his officers went on board, and set sail from Plymouth Sound
at five o'clock in the afternoon of the 15th of November, 1577.
When off the Lizard, meeting with a heavy south-westerly gale, they were
driven back, the _Pelican_ and _Marigold_ having to cut away their
mainmasts, to Falmouth, where they remained until the 13th of the next
month, when, all their damages being repaired, they once more put to
sea.
All on board were eager to know their destination. When out of sight of
land, the Admiral, should the ships be separated, appointed Mogador as a
rendezvous, and it was thus guessed that they were not bound up the
Straits of Gibraltar.
Sighting the Barbary coast on the 25th of December, the squadron entered
the harbour of Mogador, in the dominions of the King of Fez, on the
27th. While some of the people were employed in setting up a pinnace,
several natives appeared, among whom were two Moorish chiefs, requesting
to be taken on board to the Admiral. A boat was accordingly dispatched,
and the two Moors were brought off, an Englishman being left as a
hostage. The Moors were courteously entertained. When wine was
presented to them, they declined drinking it in public, but had no
objection to swallow a good quantity when they could do so unobserved.
On their return the hostage was restored. The next day some men and
camels came down to the beach, apparently wishing to trade, as they
exhibited various commodities. On this a boat from one of the ships,
unknown to the Admiral, was sent to meet them, when one of the men in
her, John Fry by name, wishing to become a hostage, that he might hear
them speak and observe their manners, leapt hurriedly on shore, and ran
on some way from the boat. Before he was aware of his danger, he was
seized by the Moors, who, lifting him up on one of the camels, set off
with him at a rapid rate. As the rest of the crew were about to land, a
large number of the natives sprang out from behind the rocks, and
compelled the English seamen to retreat. It was afterwards found that
the man had been carried off by the orders of the King of Fez, who
wished to gain information regarding an expected invasion of his
territory by the Portuguese.
Drake, on hearing what had occurred, landed a party of men and marched
some distance into the interior, but the Moors kept out of his way, so
that he was compelled to return without gaining information; and,
supposing that Fry was lost, he ordered the squadron to put to sea. Fry
meanwhile was kindly treated by the King of Fez, who, finding that no
information could be got from him, sent him back to the coast, where, to
his grief, he found that the fleet had sailed. He, however, before long
got home in an English merchant vessel.
Running down the African coast, they took three Spanish fishing-boats
called caunters, and shortly afterwards two caravels, when at length
they caught sight of the Southern Cross. Passing Cape Barbas, they
sighted a Spanish ship at anchor. She was captured with only two people
on board, the rest having fled on shore. In a harbour, three leagues
within the cape, the ships brought up, and there remained several days,
obtaining fresh water and provisions, as well as all sorts of fish in
abundance.
The people here appeared to be suffering from famine, and a wretched
woman, with a babe in her arms, was brought down to the beach to be sold
as a slave; but Drake indignantly refused to purchase her, saying that
he did not trade in human beings. Other people brought leather bags to
buy water. Drake gave them water, but declined receiving payment in
return. Having refitted the ships and discharged all the Spanish
prizes, except one caunter, in exchange for which the _Christopher_ was
given to the owner, and one caravel, the squadron proceeded to the Cape
de Verde Islands, and put into the harbour of Saint Mary's. Here, when
the inhabitants, who were subjects of the King of Portugal, saw them
coming on shore, they fled to the mountains, and no provisions or fresh
water could be purchased.
A party, under Captain Winter and Mr Thomas Doughty, was sent on shore
to try and obtain what was required. They saw large herds of goats;
wild hens, and salt which had been gathered in great quantities from the
rocks. The country was fertile, covered with trees and vines, bearing
delicious grapes, with which the seamen refreshed themselves. There
were many other fruit-trees, some bearing plantains, a pleasant and
wholesome fruit, others figs, with ripe fruit on them. Sailing from
Saint Mary's on the 30th of January, they the next day passed the island
of Saint Jago, beyond which lies the burning island called by the
Portuguese Fogo. To the south-west of this island they took a Portugal
ship laden with wine, linen and woollen cloths, and other necessaries,
bound for the Brazils, and having many gentlemen and merchants on board
her. The command of this prize was given to Thomas Doughty, who was an
old friend of Drake's, and much trusted by him.
The ships passed by several towns, the people in which fired off their
great guns to signify that they were prepared for an assault. The pilot
of the Portuguese ship, Nuna da Silva, being found to be an expert
mariner, well acquainted with the coast of Brazil, was taken on board
the admiral.
Passing Fogo, the squadron brought to off the fertile island of Brava.
Here the only inhabitant to be found was a monk, who had built himself a
rude dwelling; but on seeing the English landing, he fled, leaving
behind him the relics of his false worship--a cross with a crucifix, an
altar with its superior altar, and idols of wood of rude workmanship.
Here the Portugals taken near Saint Jago were dismissed; the
_Christopher_, pinnace, being given them in exchange for their own ship,
and wine, bread, and fish for their provision, excepting Nuna da Silva,
who, when he heard that the fleet was bound for the South Sea, willingly
remained with Drake.
Only a small supply of water being taken on board, the fleet sailed from
Brava on the 2nd of February, steering a course for the Straits of
Magellan. Passing the equator on the 17th, they sailed for sixty-three
days out of sight of land.
Drake was not without his troubles: it having been found that Captain
Doughty had appropriated to his own use certain presents made by the
prisoners, he was superseded by Thomas Drake, the Admiral's brother.
This disgrace appears to have rankled in Mr Doughty's heart, and caused
him to feel a bitter animosity against his former friend and commander.
During this long passage the squadron sometimes met with adverse winds
and violent storms, when lightnings flashed and terrific claps of
thunder rattled above their heads; at others they were long becalmed,
suffering from the effects of the sweltering heat of the torrid zone.
They were depressed, and would have suffered greatly from the want of
water, had they not been able to supply themselves, both before and
after crossing the Line, by means of the heavy showers which every day
fell, the water being collected in sails and sheets.
When in the tropics they saw, for the first time, shoals of flying-fish
of the size of pilchards, chased by bonitos and dolphins, or
"_dorados_," as the Spaniards called them. Also, as they watched the
flying-fish trying to escape from their foes in the water, they observed
huge birds pounce down and seize the helpless fugitives. Cuttle-fish
likewise--strange, black creatures--leapt on board the ships in
considerable numbers. These and other novel sights did not fail to
interest them. On the 5th of April they sighted the coast of Brazil,
where the land was low, and, sounding, they found only twelve fathoms
three leagues off the shore. Huge fires were observed, kindled by the
inhabitants. The Portuguese had before this landed on the coast, and
reduced the natives to a miserable stage of bondage, compelling them by
their cruelty to fly from the fertile parts of the country into the more
unfruitful districts.
Drake wished to go on shore, but, finding no harbour, the squadron
coasted along until the 7th of April, when a terrible storm of wind from
the southward rose, during which the _Christopher_ was separated from
the rest of the fleet. She was the caunter taken at Blanco, on which
the name of _Christopher_ was bestowed when the vessel originally
so-called was given to the prisoners. After the squall, which lasted
only three hours, the squadron continued beating to the southward, until
they got off the Rio de la Plata, up which they ran until they came to
an anchor under Cape Joy. Drake so-called it from the satisfaction he
felt at seeing the _Christopher_ come in two days after they had
anchored, he having thoughtfully appointed it as a rendezvous, should
any of the vessels be separated.
Among the principal of his subordinate objects was to keep the fleet
together, to obtain good drinking-water and fresh provisions as often as
possible. They found the climate delicious, and saw a number of large
deer. Considerably higher up the river they anchored near some rocks,
where they killed a large number of seals, or sea-wolves, as the
Spaniards called them. They found their flesh wholesome and pleasant,
and salted a number for their further use.
Having spent a fortnight in the River Plate, they again put to sea, when
shortly afterwards the fly-boat _Swan_ was lost sight of. In order to
save the inconvenience of so many vessels to look after, Drake
determined to lessen their number, that the crews of those remaining
might be strengthened and have less duty to perform. Winter was coming
on, and, in order to prepare for it, a convenient harbour was searched
for. While examining the coast, on May 8th, during another storm, the
caunter was again separated from the fleet. The ships being much tossed
about, they stood in with the intention of coming to an anchor near a
headland, off which many rocks were observed. Drake, who never trusted
to other men when he could perform the work himself, despising danger
and toil, had a boat lowered, and rowed in himself to examine the bay.
Approaching the shore, a native was seen singing and dancing, and
shaking a rattle, expecting him to land. Suddenly the wind still
further increased, while a thick fog coming on, the Admiral lost sight
of his ships. He immediately pulled off to try and regain them, but
would very probably have been lost in the heavy sea running, had not
Captain Thomas of the _Marigold_, at great risk, stood in, and having
taken him on board, bravely rode out the gale.
Next morning the weather cleared, but the rest of the ships were nowhere
visible; the Admiral, therefore, landing, lighted up large signal-fires
in the hopes of their being seen by the ships. The natives had fled up
the country for fear of the strangers. The seamen found, however, in
their huts near the shore the flesh of upwards of fifty ostriches cured,
as well of that of other birds, the size of the former being equal to
legs of mutton. They discovered also the device by which the ostriches
were captured. This consisted of the head, neck, and plumage of the
bird fixed to the end of a pole, with large feathers sticking out behind
sufficient to conceal a man's body. With these the ostriches were
stalked and driven either into some neck of land, or against large and
strong nets, with the assistance of dogs.
The dispersed ships, seeing the fires, shortly came to an anchor,
excepting the _Swan_ and the _Mary_, the Portugal prize, which had
parted company. This not being a convenient place, the squadron sailed
on the 15th of May, and on the 17th anchored in a sheltered bay, where
they remained fifteen days. Having made various necessary arrangements,
the Admiral sailed northwards to look out for the _Swan_, and dispatched
Captain Winter in the _Elizabeth_ for the same object. She was
fortunately soon discovered, and being brought back, was unladen and run
on shore, when she was broken up, her ironwork and planking being
distributed among the ships, the latter to be used as fuel and other
purposes.
While the crews were thus employed, the natives made their appearance on
the top of a hill, leaping, dancing, and holding up their hands, and
crying out in a curious fashion. With the exception of a skin of fur
cast about their shoulders, they were naked. Their bodies were painted,
and the chiefs wore feathers in their hair, which looked at a distance
like horns.
The Admiral on this sent a boat on shore with knives, bells, beads, and
other things, which he thought would please them. Seeing the strangers,
two of the natives came rushing down at a great rate, but stopped short
when still at some distance. On the English retiring, they, however,
advanced and took the articles which had been placed on sticks so that
they could be seen, leaving instead plumes of feathers, and bones shaped
like large toothpicks.
Their confidence was soon gained, and numbers coming down, mixed freely
among their visitors. They appeared to be a mild, well-disposed people,
and learned to place implicit confidence in the Admiral, who won the
affection of the chief by bestowing upon him the cap he usually wore.
The savage, as a curious mark of his affection, wounded himself with an
arrow in the leg, letting the blood stream on the ground.
These natives were well-made, good-looking, and remarkably active and
swift of foot. They obtained from the birds and seals frequenting the
shore an abundance of food, which, it appeared, they ate raw. They were
all armed with short bows, and arrows of reed headed with flints. The
English here killed large numbers of birds, which were so tame that they
perched on the men's heads and shoulders, and in a bay near at hand they
took upwards of two hundred seals in the space of an hour.
Having repaired and provisioned the ships, on the 3rd of June they set
sail, steering southward, but anchored again in two days in a bay, where
the caunter _Christopher_ was run on shore and her cargo removed.
Again they proceeded, after anchoring a short time, until they brought
up once more in another bay in 15 degrees 20 minutes, short only one
degree off the mouth of the straits.
Here the Admiral, anxious to find the long-missing _Mary_, which had on
board their chief store of wine, determined to sail back again until
they reached the latitude where she had been lost. A bright look-out
was kept for her, and happily, on the evening of the 19th of June, when
the squadron was within a few leagues of Port Saint Julien, the missing
ship was sighted. They were greatly rejoiced at this; but she was found
to be so much out of order, and her crew had suffered so many
privations, that the Admiral thought it well to put into that harbour,
which was to prove a place fatal to several of their number.