Thwart of Ariquipa,[198] the shippe we brought with us from Balparizo
being very leake, and my companie satisfied that their hope to find any
thing of worth in her was vaine, having searched her from post to
stemme, condiscended to fire her; and the rather to keepe our company
together, which could not well suffer any devision more then of meere
necessity: so by generall accord we eased ourselves of her, and
continued our course alongst the coast, till we came thwart of the bay
of Pisco, which lyeth within fifteene degrees and fifteene minutes.
Presently after wee were cleare of Cape Saugalean,[199] and his ilands,
wee ranged this bay with our boate and pinnace. It hath two small ilands
in it, but without fruite; and being becalmed, we anchored two dayes
thwart of Chilca.
[Advise given by sea and land.]
By sea and by land, those of Chyly had given advise to Don Garcia
Hurtado de Mendoça, marquis of Cavete, vice-roy of Peru, resident in
Lima, of our being on the coast. Hee presently with all possible
diligence, put out sixe shippes in warlike order, with well neere two
thousand men, and dispatched them to seeke us, and to fight with us,
under the conduct of Don Beltrian de Castro Ydelaluca, his wives
brother; who departing out of the port of Callao, turned to wind-ward in
sight over the shore, from whence they had dayly intelligence where wee
had beene discovered. And the next day after our departure out of
Chilca, about the middle of May, at breake of day, wee had sight each of
other, thwart of Cavete, wee being to wind-wards of the Spanish armado
some two leagues, and all with little or no winde. Our pinnace or prise
being furnished with oares came unto us, out of which we thought to have
taken our men, and so to leave her; but being able to come unto us at
all times, it was held for better to keepe her till necessity forced us
to leave her: and so it was determined that if we came to likelihood of
boording, shee should lay our boate aboord, and enter all her men, and
from thence to enter our shippe, and so to forsake her. Although, by the
event in that occasion this proved good, notwithstanding I hold it to
bee reproved where the enemie is farre superiour in multitude and force,
and able to come and bourd if hee list; and that the surest course is to
fortifie the principall the best that may bee, and to cut of all
impediments, where a man is forced to defence: for that no man is
assured to have time answerable to his purpose and will; and upon doubt
whether the others, in hope to save themselves, will not leave him in
greatest extremitie.