Produced by Dagny; John Bickers
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE REVIVED
By Philip Nichols
Editor: Philip Nichols
PREPARER'S NOTE
This text was originally prepared from a 1910 edition,
published by P F
Collier & Son Company, New York. It included this note:
Faithfully taken out of the report of Master Christopher Ceely,
Ellis Hixom, and others, who were in the same Voyage with him
By Philip Nichols, Preacher
Reviewed by Sir Francis Drake himself
Set forth by Sir Francis Drake, Baronet (his nephew)
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE REVIVED
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Sir Francis Drake, the greatest of the naval adventurers of England of
the time of Elizabeth, was born in Devonshire about 1540. He went to
sea early, was sailing to the Spanish Main by 1565, and commanded a ship
under Hawkins in an expedition that was overwhelmed by the Spaniards
in 1567. In order to recompense himself for the loss suffered in this
disaster, he equipped the expedition against the Spanish treasure-house
at Nombre de Dios in 1572, the fortunes of which are described in the
first of the two following narratives. It was on this voyage that he was
led by native guides to "that goodly and great high tree" on the isthmus
of Darien, from which, first of Englishmen, he looked on the Pacific,
and "besought Almighty God of His goodness to give him life and leave to
sail once in an English ship in that sea."
The fulfilment of this prayer is described in the second of the voyages
here printed, in which it is told how, in 1578, Drake passed through the
Straits of Magellan into waters never before sailed by his countrymen,
and with a single ship rifled the Spanish settlements on the west
coast of South America and plundered the Spanish treasure-ships; how,
considering it unsafe to go back the way he came lest the enemy should
seek revenge, he went as far north as the Golden Gate, then passed
across the Pacific and round by the Cape of Good Hope, and so home, the
first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe. Only Magellan's ship had
preceded him in the feat, and Magellan had died on the voyage. The Queen
visited the ship, "The Golden Hind," as she lay at Deptford and knighted
the commander on board.
Drake's further adventures were of almost equal interest. Returning
from a raid on the Spaniards in 1586, he brought home the despairing
Virginian colony, and is said at the same time to have introduced from
America tobacco and potatoes. Two years later he led the English fleet
in the decisive engagement with the Great Armada. In 1595 he set out on
another voyage to the Spanish Main; and in the January of the following
year died off Porto Bello and was buried in the waters where he had made
his name as the greatest seaman of his day and nation.
TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY
CHARLES THE FIRST, OF
GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, and IRELAND,
KING, all the blessings of this, and a better life.
MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN,
That this brief Treatise is yours, both by right and by
succession, will appear by the Author's and Actor's ensuing
_Dedication_. To praise either the Mistress or the Servant, might
justly incur the censure of _Quis eos unquam sanus vituperavit_;
either's worth having sufficiently blazed their fame.
This Present loseth nothing, by glancing on former actions; and
the observation of passed adventures may probably advantage future
employments. Caesar wrote his own Commentaries; and this Doer was
partly the Indictor.
Neither is there wanting living testimony to confirm its truth.
For his sake, then, cherish what is good! and I shall willingly
entertain check for what is amiss. Your favourable acceptance may
encourage my collecting of more neglected notes! However, though
Virtue, as Lands, be not inheritable; yet hath he left of his
Name, one that resolves, and therein joys to approve himself.
Your most humble and loyal subject,
FRANCIS DRAKE [BART.]
The Dedicatory Epistle, Intended To
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Written By SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, Deceased.
To The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty,
my most dread Sovereign.
Madam,
Seeing divers have diversely reported and written of these Voyages
and Actions which I have attempted and made, every one
endeavouring to bring to light whatsoever inklings or conjectures
they have had; whereby many untruths have been published, and the
certain truth concealed: as [so] I have thought it necessary
myself, as in a Card [chart] to prick the principal points of the
counsels taken, attempts made, and success had, during the whole
course of my employment in these services against the Spaniard.
Not as setting sail for maintaining my reputation in men's
judgment, but only as sitting at helm, if occasion shall be, for
conducting the like actions hereafter. So I have accounted it my
duty, to present this Discourse to Your Majesty, as of right;
either for itself being the first fruits of your Servant's pen, or
for the matter, being service done to Your Majesty by your poor
vassal, against your great Enemy: at times, in such places, and
after such sort as may seem strange to those that are not
acquainted with the whole carriage thereof; but will be a pleasing
remembrance to Your Highness, who take the apparent height of the
Almighty's favour towards you, by these events, as truest
instruments.
Humbly submitting myself to Your gracious censure, both in writing
and presenting; that Posterity be not deprived of such help as may
happily be gained hereby, and our present Age, at least, may be
satisfied, in the rightfulness of these actions, which hitherto
have been silenced: and Your Servant's labour not seem altogether
lost, not only in travels by sea and land, but also in writing the
Report thereof (a work to him no less troublesome) yet made
pleasant and sweet, in that it hath been, is, and shall be for
Your Majesty's content; to whom I have devoted myself [and] live
or die.
FRANCIS DRAKE [Knight].
January 1, 1592 [i.e., 1593].
TO THE COURTEOUS READER
HONEST READER,
Without apology, I desire thee, in this ensuing Discourse, to
observe, with me, the power and justice of the LORD of Hosts, Who
could enable so mean a person to right himself upon so mighty a
Prince; together with the goodness and providence of GOD very
observable in that it pleased Him to raise this man, not only from
a low condition, but even from the state of persecution. His
father suffered in it, being forced to fly from his house, near
South Tavistock in Devon, into Kent: and there to inhabit in the
hull of a ship, wherein many of his younger sons were born. He had
twelve in all: and as it pleased GOD to give most of them a being
upon the water, so the greatest part of them died at sea. The
youngest, who though he was [went] as far as any, yet died at
home; whose posterity inherits that, which by himself and this
noble Gentleman the eldest brother, was hardly, yet worthily
gotten.
I could more largely acquaint thee, that this voyage was his Third
he made into the West Indies; after that [of] his excellent
service, both by sea and land, in Ireland, under WALTER, Earl of
ESSEX; his next, about the World; another, wherein he took St.
Jago, Cartagena, St. Domingo, St. Augustino; his doings at Cadiz;
besides the first Carrack taught by him to sail into England; his
stirrings in Eighty-seven; his remarkable actions in Eighty-eight;
his endeavours in the Portugal employment; his last enterprise,
determined by death; and his filling Plymouth with a plentiful
stream of fresh water: but I pass by all these. I had rather thou
shouldest inquire of others! then to seem myself a vainglorious
man.
I intend not his praise! I strive only to set out the praise of
his and our good GOD! that guided him in his truth! and protected
him in his courses! My ends are to stir thee up to the worship of
GOD, and service of our King and Country, by his example! If
anything be worth thy consideration; conclude with me, that the
LORD only, can do great things!
FRANCIS DRAKE [Bart.]
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE REVIVED
Calling upon this dull or effeminate Age, to follow his noble steps for
gold and silver.
As there is a general Vengeance which secretly pursueth the doers of
wrong, and suffereth them not to prosper, albeit no man of purpose
empeach them: so is there a particular Indignation, engrafted in the
bosom of all that are wronged, which ceaseth not seeking, by all means
possible, to redress or remedy the wrong received. Insomuch as those
great and mighty men, in whom their prosperous estate hath bred such an
overweening of themselves, but they do not only wrong their inferiors,
but despise them being injured, seem to take a very unfit course for
their own safety, and far unfitter for their rest. For as ESOP teacheth,
even the fly hath her spleen, and the emmet [ant] is not without her
choler; and both together many times find means whereby, though the
eagle lays her eggs in JUPITER'S lap, yet by one way or other, she
escapeth not requital of her wrong done [to] the emmet.
Among the manifold examples hereof, which former Ages have committed to
memory, or our Time yielded to sight: I suppose, there hath not been any
more notable then this in hand; either in respect of the greatness of
the person in whom the first injury was offered, or the meanness of him
who righted himself. The one being, in his own conceit, the mightiest
Monarch of all the world! The other, an English Captain, a mean subject
of her Majesty's! Who (besides the wrongs received at Rio de [la]
Hacha with Captain JOHN LOVELL in the years 1565 and 1566) having been
grievously endamaged at San Juan de Ulua in the Bay of Mexico, with
captain JOHN HAWKINS, in the years 1567 and 1568, not only in the loss
of his goods of some value, but also of his kinsmen and friends, and
that by the falsehood of DON MARTIN HENRIQUEZ then the Viceroy of
Mexico; and finding that no recompense could be recovered out of Spain,
by any of his own means, or by Her Majesty's letters; he used such helps
as he might, by two several voyages into the West Indies (the first with
two ships, the one called the _Dragon_, the other the _Swan_, in the
year 1570: the other in the _Swan_ alone in the year 1571, to gain such
intelligences as might further him, to get some amends for his loss.
On Whitsunday Eve, being the 24th of May, in the year 1572, Captain
DRAKE in the _Pascha_ of Plymouth of 70 tons, his admiral [flag-ship];
with the _Swan_ of the same port, of 25 tons, his vice-admiral, in which
his brother JOHN DRAKE was Captain (having in both of them, of men and
boys seventy-three, all voluntarily assembled; of which the eldest was
fifty, all the rest under thirty: so divided that there were forty-seven
in the one ship, and twenty-six in the other. Both richly furnished with
victuals and apparel for a whole year; and no less heedfully provided
of all manner of munition, artillery, artificers, stuff and tools, that
were requisite for such a Man-of-war in such an attempt: but especially
having three dainty pinnaces made in Plymouth, taken asunder in all
pieces, and stowed aboard, to be set up as occasion served), set sail,
from out of the Sound of Plymouth, with intent to land at Nombre de
Dios.
The wind continued prosperous and favourable at northeast, and gave us
a very good passage, without any alteration or change: so that albeit
we had sight (3rd June) of Porto Santo, one of the Madeiras, and of
the Canaries also within twelve days of our setting forth: yet we never
struck sail nor came to anchor, nor made any stay for any cause, neither
there nor elsewhere, until twenty-five days after; when (28th June)
we had sight of the island Guadaloupe, one of the islands of the West
Indies, goodly high land.
The next morning (29th June), we entered between Dominica and
Guadaloupe, where we descried two canoes coming from a rocky island,
three leagues off Dominica; which usually repair thither to fish, by
reason of the great plenty thereof, which is there continually to be
found.
We landed on the south side of it, remaining there three days to refresh
our men; and to water our ships out of one of those goodly rivers, which
fall down off the mountain. There we saw certain poor cottages; built
with Palmito boughs and branches; but no inhabitants, at that time,
civil or savage: the cottages it may be (for we could know no certain
cause of the solitariness we found there) serving, not for continual
inhabitation, but only for their uses, that came to that place at
certain seasons to fish.
The third day after (1st July), about three in the afternoon, we set
sail from thence, toward the continent of _Terra firma_.
And the fifth day after (6th July), we had sight of the high land of
Santa Marta; but came not near the shore by ten leagues.
But thence directed our course, for a place called by us, Port Pheasant;
for that our Captain had so named it in his former voyage, by reason of
the great store of those goodly fowls, which he and his company did then
daily kill and feed on, in that place. In this course notwithstanding we
had two days calm, yet within six days after we arrived (12th July) at
Port Pheasant, which is a fine round bay, of very safe harbour for all
winds, lying between two high points, not past half a cable's length
over at the mouth, but within, eight or ten cables' length every way,
having ten or twelve fathoms of water more or less, full of good fish;
the soil also very fruitful, which may appear by this, that our Captain
having been in this place, within a year and few days before [i. e., in
July, 1571] and having rid the place with many alleys and paths made;
yet now all was so overgrown again, as that we doubted, at first,
whether this was the same place or not.
At our entrance into this bay, our Captain having given order to his
brother what to do, if any occasion should happen in his absence, was
on his way, with intent to have gone aland with some few only in his
company, because he knew there dwelt no Spaniards within thirty-five
leagues of that place. [Santiago de] Tolou being the nearest to the
eastwards, and Nombre de Dios to the westwards, where any of that nation
dwelt.
But as we were rowing ashore, we saw a smoke in the woods, even near the
place where our Captain had aforetime frequented; therefore thinking it
fit to take more strength with us, he caused his other boat also to be
manned, with certain muskets and other weapons, suspecting some enemy
had been ashore.
When we landed, we found by evident marks, that there had been lately
there, a certain Englishman of Plymouth, called JOHN GARRET, who had
been conducted thither by certain English mariners which had been there
with our Captain, in some of his former voyages. He had now left a plate
of lead, nailed fast to a mighty great tree (greater than any four men
joining hands could fathom about) on which were engraven these words,
directed to our Captain.
CAPTAIN DRAKE
If you fortune to come to this Port, make haste away! For the Spaniards
which you had with you here, the last year, have bewrayed this place,
and taken away all that you left here.
I depart from hence, this present 7th of July, 1572.
Your very loving friend, John Garret.
The smoke which we saw, was occasioned by a fire, which the said Garret
and his company had made, before their departure, in a very great tree,
not far from this which had the lead nailed on it, which had continued
burning at least five days before our arrival.
This advertisement notwithstanding, our Captain meant not to depart
before he had built his pinnaces; which were yet aboard in pieces: for
which purpose he knew this port to be a most convenient place.
And therefore as soon as we had moored our ships, our Captain commanded
his pinnaces to be brought ashore for the carpenters to set up; himself
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 means he had would afford. Which was performed by felling of
great trees; bowsing and hauling them together, with great pulleys and
hawsers, until they were enclosed to the water; and then letting others
fall upon them, until they had raised with trees and boughs thirty feet
in height round about, leaving only one gate to issue at, near the
water side; which every night, that we might sleep in more safety and
security, was shut up, with a great tree drawn athwart it.
The whole plot was built in pentagonal form, to wit, of five equal
sides and angles, of which angles two were toward the sea, and that side
between them was left open, for the easy launching of our pinnaces: the
other four equal sides were wholly, excepting the gate before mentioned,
firmly closed up.
Without, instead of a trench, the ground was rid [laid bare] for fifty
feet space, round about. The rest was very thick with trees, of which
many were of those kinds which are never without green leaves, till they
are dead at the root: excepting only one kind of tree amongst them,
much like to our Ash, which when the sun cometh right over them, causing
great rains, suddenly casteth all its leaves, viz., within three days,
and yet within six days after becomes all green again. The leaves of
the other trees do also in part fall away, but so as the trees continue
still green notwithstanding: being of a marvellous height, and supported
as it were with five or six natural buttresses growing out of their
bodies so far, that three men may so be hidden in each of them, that
they which shall stand in the very next buttress shall not be able to
see them. One of them specially was marked to have had seven of those
stays or buttresses, for the supporting of his greatness and height,
which being measured with a line close by the bark and near to the
ground, as it was indented or extant, was found to be above thirty-nine
yards about. The wood of those trees is as heavy or heavier than Brazil
or _Lignum vitae_; and is in colour white.
The next day after we had arrived (13th July), there came also into
that bay, an English bark of the Isle of Wight, of Sir EDWARD HORSEY'S;
wherein JAMES RANSE was Captain and JOHN OVERY, Master, with thirty men:
of which, some had been with our Captain in the same place, the year
before. They brought in with them a Spanish caravel of Seville, which
he had taken the day before, athwart of that place; being a Caravel of
_Adviso_ [Despatch boat] bound for Nombre de Dios; and also one
shallop with oars, which he had taken at Cape Blanc. This Captain RANSE
understanding our Captain's purpose, was desirous to join in consort
with him; and was received upon conditions agreed on between them.
Within seven days after his coming, having set up our pinnaces, and
despatched all our business, in providing all things necessary, out of
our ships into our pinnaces: we departed (20th July) from that harbour,
setting sail in the morning towards Nombre de Dios, continuing our
course till we came to the Isles of Pinos: where, being within three
days arrived, we found (22nd July) two frigates of Nombre de Dios lading
plank and timber from thence.
The Negroes which were in those frigates, gave us some particular
understanding of the present state of the town; and besides, told us
that they had heard a report, that certain soldiers should come thither
shortly, and were daily looked for, from the Governor of Panama, and the
country thereabout, to defend the town against the Cimaroons (a black
people, which about eighty years past [i.e., 1512] fled from the
Spaniards their masters, by reason of their cruelty, and are since grown
to a Nation, under two Kings of their own: the one inhabiteth to the
West, and the other to the East of the Way from Nombre de Dios to
Panama) which had nearly surprised it [i.e., Nombre de Dios], about six
weeks before [i.e., about 10th June, 1572].
Our Captain willing to use those Negroes well (not hurting himself) set
them ashore upon the Main, that they might perhaps join themselves to
their countrymen the Cimaroons, and gain their liberty, if they would;
or if they would not, yet by reason of the length and troublesomeness
of the way by land to Nombre de Dios, he might prevent any notice of his
coming, which they should be able to give. For he was loath to put the
town to too much charge (which he knew they would willingly bestow) in
providing beforehand for his entertainment; and therefore he hastened
his going thither, with as much speed and secrecy as possibly he could.
To this end, disposing of all his companies, according as they inclined
most; he left the three ships and the caravel with Captain RANSE; and
chose into his four pinnaces (Captain RANSE'S shallop made the fourth)
beside fifty-three of our men, twenty more of Captain RANSE'S company;
with which he seemed competently furnished, to achieve what he intended;
especially having proportioned, according to his own purpose, and our
men's disposition, their several arms, viz., six targets, six firepikes,
twelve pikes, twenty-four muskets and calivers, sixteen bows, and six
partisans, two drums, and two trumpets.
Thus having parted (23rd July) from our company: we arrived at the
island of Cativaas, being twenty-five leagues distant, about five days
afterward (28th July). There we landed all in the morning betimes: and
our Captain trained his men, delivering them their several weapons
and arms which hitherto he had kept very fair and safe in good caske
[casks]: and exhorting them after his manner, he declared "the greatness
of the hope of good things that was there! the weakness of the town,
being unwalled! and the hope he had of prevailing to recompense his
wrongs! especially now that he should come with such a crew, who were
like-minded with himself; and at such a time, as he should be utterly
undiscovered."
Therefore, even that afternoon, he causeth us to set sail for Nombre de
Dios, so that before sunset we were as far as Rio Francisco. Thence, he
led us hard aboard the shore, that we might not be descried of the Watch
House, until that being come within two leagues of the point of the bay,
he caused us to strike a hull, and cast our grappers [grappling irons],
riding so until it was dark night.
Then we weighed again, and set sail, rowing hard aboard the shore, with
as much silence as we could, till we recovered the point of the harbour
under the high land. There, we stayed, all silent; purposing to attempt
the town in the dawning of the day: after that we had reposed ourselves,
for a while.
But our captain with some other of his best men, finding that our people
were talking of the greatness of the town, and what their strength might
be; especially by the report of the Negroes that we took at the Isle
of Pinos: thought it best to put these conceits out of their heads, and
therefore to take the opportunity of the rising of the moon that night,
persuading them that "it was the day dawning." By this occasion we were
at the town a large hour sooner than first was purposed. For we arrived
there by three of the clock after midnight. At that time it fortuned
that a ship of Spain, of 60 tons, laden with Canary wines and other
commodities, which had but lately come into the bay; and had not
yet furled her spirit-sail (espying our four pinnaces, being an
extraordinary number, and those rowing with many oars) sent away her
gundeloe [? gondola] towards the town, to give warning. But our Captain
perceiving it, cut betwixt her and the town, forcing her to go to the
other side of the bay: whereby we landed without impeachment, although
we found one gunner upon the Platform [battery] in the very place where
we landed; being a sandy place and no key [quay] at all, not past twenty
yards from the houses.
There we found six great pieces of brass ordinance, mounted upon their
carriages, some Demy, some Whole-Culvering.
We presently dismounted them. The gunner fled. The town took alarm
(being very ready thereto, by reason of their often disquieting by their
near neighbours the Cimaroons); as we perceived, not only by the noise
and cries of the people, but by the bell ringing out, and drums running
up and down the town.
Our captain, according to the directions which he had given over night,
to such as he had made choice of for the purpose, left twelve to keep
the pinnaces; that we might be sure of a safe retreat, if the worst
befell. And having made sure work of the Platform before he would enter
the town, he thought best, first to view the Mount on the east side
of the town: where he was informed, by sundry intelligences the year
before, they had an intent to plant ordnance, which might scour round
about the town.
Therefore, leaving one half of his company to make a stand at the foot
of the Mount, he marched up presently unto the top of it, with all speed
to try the truth of the report, for the more safety. There we found no
piece of ordnance, but only a very fit place prepared for such use,
and therefore we left it without any of our men, and with all celerity
returned now down the Mount.
Then our Captain appointed his brother, with JOHN OXNAM [or OXENHAM] and
sixteen other of his men, to go about, behind the King's Treasure House,
and enter near the eastern end of the Market Place: himself with the
rest, would pass up the broad street into the Market Place, with sound
of drum and trumpet. The Firepikes, divided half to the one, and half to
the other company, served no less for fright to the enemy than light of
our men, who by this means might discern every place very well, as if
it were near day: whereas the inhabitants stood amazed at so strange a
sight, marvelling what the matter might be, and imagining, by reason of
our drums and trumpets sounding in so sundry places, that we had been a
far greater number then we were.
Yet, by means of the soldiers of which were in the town, and by reason
of the time which we spent in marching up and down the Mount, the
soldiers and inhabitants had put themselves in arms, and brought their
companies in some order, at the south-east end of the Market Place, near
the Governor's House, and not far from the gate of the town, which is
the only one, leading towards Panama: having (as it seems) gathered
themselves thither, either that in the Governor's sight they might shew
their valour, if it might prevail; or else, that by the gate they might
best take their _Vale_, and escape readiest.
And to make a shew of far greater numbers of shot, or else of a custom
they had, by the like device to terrify the Cimaroons; they had hung
lines with matches lighted, overthwart the western end of the Market
Place, between the Church and the Cross; as though there had been in a
readiness some company of shot, whereas indeed there were not past two
or three that taught these lines to dance, till they themselves ran
away, as soon as they perceived they were discovered.
But the soldiers and such as were joined with them, presented us with
a jolly hot volley of shot, beating full upon the full egress of that
street, in which we marched; and levelling very low, so as their bullets
ofttimes grazed on the sand.
We stood not to answer them in like terms; but having discharged our
first volley of shot, and feathered them with our arrows (which our
Captain had caused to be made of purpose in England; not great sheaf
arrows, but fine roving shafts, very carefully reserved for the service)
we came to the push of pike, so that our firepikes being well armed and
made of purpose, did us very great service.
For our men with their pikes and short weapons, in short time took such
order among these gallants (some using the butt-end of their pieces
instead of other weapons), that partly by reason of our arrows which did
us there notable service, partly by occasion of this strange and sudden
closing with them in this manner unlooked for, and the rather for that
at the very instant, our Captain's brother, with the other company, with
their firepikes, entered the Market Place by the eastern street:
they casting down their weapons, fled all out of the town by the gate
aforesaid, which had been built for a bar to keep out of the town the
Cimaroons, who had often assailed it; but now served for a gap for the
Spaniards to fly at.
In following, and returning; divers of our men were hurt with the
weapons which the enemy had let fall as he fled; somewhat, for that we
marched with such speed, but more for that they lay so thick and cross
one on the other.
Being returned, we made our stand near the midst of the Market Place,
where a tree groweth hard by the Cross; whence our Captain sent some of
our men to stay the ringing of the alarm bell, which had continued all
this while: but the church being very strongly built and fast shut,
they could not without firing (which our Captain forbade) get into the
steeple where the bell rung.
In the meantime, our Captain having taken two or three Spaniards in
their flight, commanded them to shew him the Governor's House, where he
understood was the ordinary place of unlading the moiles [mules] of all
the treasure which came from Panama by the King's appointment. Although
the silver only was kept there; the gold, pearl, and jewels (being
there once entered by the King's officer) was carried from thence to the
King's Treasure House not far off, being a house very strongly built of
lime and alone, for the safe keeping thereof.
At our coming to the Governor's House we found the great door where the
mules do usually unlade, even then opened, a candle lighted upon the top
of the stairs; and a fair gennet ready saddled, either for the Governor
himself, or some other of his household to carry it after him. By means
of this light we saw a huge heap of silver in that nether [lower] room;
being a pile of bars of silver of, as near as we could guess, seventy
feet in length, of ten feet in breadth, and twelve feet in height, piled
up against the wall, each bar was between thirty-five and forty pounds
in weight.
At sight hereof, our Captain commanded straightly that none of us should
touch a bar of silver; but stand upon our weapons, because the town
was full of people, and there was in the King's Treasure House near the
water side, more gold and jewels than all our four pinnaces could
carry: which we should presently set some in hand to break open,
notwithstanding the Spaniards report the strength of it.
We were no sooner returned to our strength, but there was a report
brought by some of our men that our pinnaces were in danger to be
taken; and that if we ourselves got not aboard before day, we should be
oppressed with multitude both of soldiers and towns-people. This report
had his ground from one DIEGO a Negro, who, in the time of the first
conflict, came and called to our pinnaces, to know "whether they were
Captain DRAKE'S?" And upon answer received, continued entreating to be
taken aboard, though he had first three or four shot made at him, until
at length they fetched him; and learned by him, that, not past eight
days before our arrival, the King had sent thither some 150 soldiers to
guard the town against the Cimaroons, and the town at this time was full
of people beside: which all the rather believed, because it agreed with
the report of the Negroes, which we took before at the Isle of Pinos.
And therefore our Captain sent his brother and JOHN OXNAM to understand
the truth thereof.
They found our men which we left in our pinnaces much frightened, by
reason that they saw great troops and companies running up and down,
with matches lighted, some with other weapons, crying _Que gente? Que
gente?_ which not having been at the first conflict, but coming from the
utter ends of the town (being at least as big as Plymouth), came many
times near us; and understanding that we were English, discharged their
pieces and ran away.
Presently after this, a mighty shower of rain, with a terrible storm
of thunder and lightning, fell, which poured down so vehemently (as
it usually doth in those countries) that before we could recover the
shelter of a certain shade or penthouse at the western end of the King's
Treasure House, (which seemeth to have been built there of purpose to
avoid sun and rain) some of our bow-strings were wet, and some of our
match and powder hurt! Which while we were careful of, to refurnish and
supply; divers of our men harping on the reports lately brought us, were
muttering of the forces of the town, which our Captain perceiving, 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 nobody but
themselves!"
And therefore as soon as the storm began to assuage of his fury (which
was a long half hour) willing to give his men no longer leisure to
demur of those doubts, nor yet allow the enemy farther respite to gather
themselves together, he stept forward commanding his brother, with
JOHN OXNAM and the company appointed them, to break the King's Treasure
House: the rest to follow him to keep the strength of the Market Place,
till they had despatched the business for which they came.
But as he stepped forward, his strength and sight and speech failed him,
and he began to faint for want of blood, which, as then we perceived,
had, in great quantity, issued upon the sand, out of a wound received
in his leg in the first encounter, whereby though he felt some pain, yet
(for that he perceived divers of the company, having already gotten
many good things, to be very ready to take all occasions, of winding
themselves out of that conceited danger) would he not have it known to
any, till this his fainting, against his will, bewrayed it: the blood
having first filled the very prints which our footsteps made, to the
great dismay of all our company, who thought it not credible that one
man should be able to spare so much blood and live.
And therefore even they, which were willing to have ventured the most
for so fair a booty, would in no case hazard their Captain's life; but
(having given him somewhat to drink wherewith he recovered himself, and
having bound his scarf about his leg, for the stopping of the blood)
entreated him to be content to go with them aboard, there to have his
wound searched and dressed, and then to return on shore again if he
thought good.
This when they could not persuade him unto (as who knew it to be utterly
impossible, at least very unlikely, that ever they should, for that
time, return again, to recover the state in which they now were: and
was of opinion, that it were more honourable for himself, to jeopard
his life for so great a benefit, than to leave off so high an enterprise
unperformed), they joined altogether and with force mingled with fair
entreaty, they bare him aboard his pinnace, and so abandoned a most rich
spoil for the present, only to preserve their Captain's life: and being
resolved of him, that while they enjoyed his presence, and had him to
command them, they might recover wealth sufficient; but if once they
lost him, they should hardly be able to recover home. No, not with that
which they had gotten already.
Thus we embarked by break of day (29th July), having besides our
Captain, many of our men wounded, though none slain but one Trumpeter:
whereupon though our surgeons were busily employed, in providing
remedies and salves for their wounds: yet the main care of our Captain
was respected by all the rest; so that before we departed out of the
harbour for the more comfort of our company, we took the aforesaid ship
of wines without great resistance.
But before we had her free of the haven, they of the town had made means
to bring one of their culverins, which we had dismounted, so as they
made a shot at us, but hindered us not from carrying forth the prize to
the Isle of _Bastimentos_, or the Isle of Victuals: which is an island
that lieth without the bay to the westward, about a league off the town,
where we stayed the two next days, to cure our wounded men, and refresh
ourselves, in the goodly gardens which we there found abounding with
great store of all dainty roots and fruits; besides great plenty of
poultry and other fowls, no less strange then delicate.
Shortly upon our first arrival in this island, the Governor and the rest
of his Assistants in the town, as we afterwards understood, sent unto
our Captain, a proper gentleman, of mean stature, good complexion, and
a fair spoken, a principal soldier of the late sent garrison, to view in
what state we were. At his coming he protested "He came to us, of mere
good will, for that we had attempted so great and incredible a matter
with so few men: and that, at the first, they feared that we had been
French, at whose hands they knew they should find no mercy: but after
they perceived by our arrows, that we were Englishmen, their fears were
the less, for that they knew, that though we took the treasure of the
place, yet we would not use cruelty toward their persons. But albeit
this his affection gave him cause enough, to come aboard such, whose
virtue he so honoured: yet the Governor also had not only consented to
his coming, but directly sent him, upon occasion that divers of the town
affirmed, said he, 'that they knew our Captain, who the last two years
had been often on our coast, and had always used their persons very
well.' And therefore desired to know, first, Whether our Captain was
the same Captain DRAKE or not? and next, Because many of their men were
wounded with our arrows, whether they were poisoned or not? and how
their wounds might best be cured? lastly, What victuals we wanted, or
other necessaries? of which the Governor promised by him to supply and
furnish us, as largely as he durst."
Our Captain, although he thought this soldier but a spy: yet used him
very courteously, and answered him to his Governor's demands: that "He
was the same DRAKE whom they meant! It was never his manner to poison
his arrows! They might cure their wounded by ordinary surgery! As for
wants, he knew the Island of _Bastimentos_ has sufficient, and could
furnish him if he listed! But he wanted nothing but some of that
special commodity which that country yielded, to content himself and his
company." And therefore he advised the Governor "to hold open his eyes!
for before he departed, if GOD lent him life and leave, he meant to reap
some of their harvest, which they get out of the earth, and sent into
Spain to trouble all the earth!"
To this answer unlooked for, this gentleman replied, "If he might,
without offence, move such a question, what should then be the cause of
our departing from that town at this time, where was above 360 tons of
silver ready for the Fleet, and much more gold in value, resting in iron
chests in the King's Treasure House?"
But when our Captain had shewed him the true cause of his unwilling
retreat aboard, he acknowledged that "we had no less reason in
departing, than courage in attempting:" and no doubt did easily see,
that it was not for the town to seek revenge of us, by manning forth
such frigates or other vessels as they had; but better to content
themselves and provide for their own defence.
Thus, with great favour and courteous entertainment, besides such gifts
from our Captain as most contented him, after dinner, he was in such
sort dismissed, to make report of what he had seen, that he protested,
"he was never so much honoured of any in his life."
After his departure, the Negro formentioned, being examined more fully,
confirmed this report of the gold and the silver; with many other
intelligences of importance: especially how we might have gold and
silver enough, if we would by means of the Cimaroons, whom though he
had betrayed divers times (being used thereto by his Masters) so that
he knew they would kill him, if they got him: yet if our Captain would
undertake his protection, he durst adventure his life, because he knew
our Captain's name was most precious and highly honoured by them.
This report ministered occasion to further consultation: for which,
because this place seemed not the safest; as being neither the
healthiest nor quietest; the next day, in the morning, we all set our
course for the Isle of _Pinos_ or Port Plenty, where we had left our
ships, continuing all that day, and the next till towards night, before
we recovered it.
We were the longer in this course, for that our Captain sent away his
brother and ELLIS HIXOM to the westward, in search of the River of
Chagres, where himself had been the year before, and yet was careful to
gain more notice of; it being a river which trendeth to the southward,
within six leagues of Panama, where is a little town called Venta Cruz
[Venta de Cruzes], whence all the treasure, that was usually brought
thither from Panama by mules, was embarked in frigates [sailing] down
that river into the North sea, and so to Nombre de Dios.
It ebbeth and floweth not far into the land, and therefore it asketh
three days' rowing with a fine pinnace to pass [up] from the mouth to
Venta Cruz; but one day and a night serveth to return down the river.
At our return to our ships (1st August), in our consultation, Captain
RANSE (forecasting divers doubts of our safe continuance upon that
coast, being now discovered) was willing to depart; and our Captain
no less willing to dismiss him: and therefore as soon as our pinnaces
returned from Chagres (7th August) with such advertisement as they were
sent for, about eight days before; Captain RANSE took his leave, leaving
us at the isle aforesaid, where we had remained five or six days.
In which meantime, having put all things in a readiness, our captain
resolved, with his two ships and three pinnaces to go to Cartagena;
whither in sailing, we spent some six days by reason of the calms which
came often upon us: but all this time we attempted nothing that we might
have done by the way, neither at [Santiago de] Tolou nor otherwhere,
because we would not be discovered.
We came to anchor with our two ships in the evening [13th August], in
seven fathom water, between the island of Charesha and St. Bernards [San
Bernardo].
Our Captain led the three pinnaces about the island, into the harbour of
Cartagena; where at the very entry, he found a frigate at anchor, aboard
which was only one old man; who being demanded, "Where the rest of his
company was?" answered, "That they were gone ashore in their gundeloe [?
gondola or ship's boat], that evening, to fight about a mistress:" and
voluntarily related to our Captain that, "two hours before night, there
past by them a pinnace, with sail and oars, as fast as ever they could
row, calling to him 'Whether there had not been any English or Frenchmen
there lately?' and upon answer that, 'There had been none!' they bid
them 'look to themselves!' That, within an hour that this pinnace was
come to the utterside [outside] of Cartagena, there were many great
pieces shot off, whereupon one going to top, to descry what might be
the cause? espied, over the land, divers frigates and small shipping
bringing themselves within the Castle."
This report our Captain credited, the rather for that himself had heard
the report of the ordnance at sea; and perceived sufficiently, that he
was now descried. Notwithstanding in farther examination of this old
mariner, having understood, that there was, within the next point, a
great ship of Seville, which had here discharged her loading, and
rid now with her yards across, being bound the next morning for Santo
Domingo: our Captain took this old man into his pinnace to verify that
which he had informed, and rowed towards this ship, which as we came
near it, hailed us, asking, "Whence our shallops were?"
We answered, "From Nombre de Dios!"
Straightway they railed and reviled! We gave no heed to their words, but
every pinnace, according to our Captain's order, one on the starboard
bow, the other on the starboard quarter, and the Captain in the
midship on the larboard side, forthwith boarded her; though we had some
difficulty to enter by reason of her height, being of 240 tons. But
as soon as we entered upon the decks, we threw down the grates and
spardecks, to prevent the Spaniards form annoying us with their close
fights: who then perceiving that we were possessed of their ship, stowed
themselves all in hold with their weapons, except two or three yonkers,
which were found afore the beetes: when having light out of our
pinnaces, we found no danger of the enemy remaining, we cut their cables
at halse, and with our three pinnaces, towed her without the island into
the sound right afore the down, without [beyond the] danger of their
great shot.
Meanwhile, the town, having intelligence hereof, or by their watch, took
the alarm, rang out their bells, shot off about thirty pieces of great
ordnance, put all their men in a readiness, horse and foot, came down to
the very point of the wood, and discharged their calivers, to impeach us
if they might, in going forth.
The next morning (14th August) our ships took two frigates, in which
there were two, who called themselves King's _Scrivanos_, the one of
Cartagena, the other of Veragua, with seven mariners and two Negroes;
who had been at Nombre de Dios and were now bound for Cartagena with
double [? duplicate] letters of advice, to certify them that Captain
DRAKE had been at Nombre de Dios, had taken it; and had it not been that
he was hurt with some blessed shot, by all likelihood he had sacked it.
He was yet still upon the coast; they should therefore carefully prepare
for him!
After that our Captain had brought out all his fleet together, at
the _Scrivanos'_ entreaties, he was content to do them all favour, in
setting them and all their companies on shore; and so bare thence with
the islands of St. Bernards, about three leagues of the town: where we
found great store of fish for our refreshing.
Here, our Captain considering that he was now discovered upon the
chieftest places of all the coast, and yet not meaning to leave it till
he had found the Cimaroons, and "made" his voyage, as he had conceived;
which would require some length of time, and sure manning of his
pinnaces: he determined with himself, to burn one of the ships, and make
the other a Storehouse; that his pinnaces (which could not otherwise)
might be thoroughly manned, and so he might be able to abide any time.
But knowing the affection of his company, how loath they were to leave
either of their ships, being both so good sailers and so well furnished;
he purposed in himself by some policy, to make them most willing to
effect that he intended. And therefore sent for one THOMAS MOONE, who
was Carpenter in the _Swan_, and asking him into his cabin, chargeth
him to conceal for a time, a piece of service, which he must in any case
consent to do aboard his own ship: that was, in the middle of the
second watch, to go down secretly into the well of the ship, and with a
spike-gimlet, to bore three holes, as near the keel as he could, and lay
something against it, that the force of the water entering, might make
no great noise, nor be discovered by a boiling up.
THOMAS MOONE at the hearing hereof, being utterly dismayed, desired to
know "What cause there might be, to move him to sink so good a bark of
his own, new and strong; and that, by _his_ means, who had been in
two so rich and gainful voyages in her with himself heretofore: If his
brother, the Master, and the rest of the company [numbering 26] should
know of such his fact, he thought verily they would kill him."
But when our Captain had imparted to him his cause, and had persuaded
him with promise that it should not be known, till all of them should be
glad of it: he understood it, and did it accordingly.
The next morning [15th August] our Captain took his pinnace very early,
purposing to go a fishing, for that there is very great store on the
coast; and falling aboard the _Swan_, calleth for his brother to go with
him, who rising suddenly, answereth that "He would follow presently, or
if it would please him to stay a very little, he would attend him."
Our Captain perceiving the feat wrought, would not hasten him; but in
rowing away, demanded of them, "Why their bark was so deep?" as making
no great account of it. But, by occasion of this demand, his brother
sent one down to the Steward, to know "Whether there were any water in
the ship? Or what other cause might be?"