The Life and Death of Sir Francis Drake, Part 1
Of his Voyage about the World.
Captain Drake having in his former Voyage had a sight of the South Sea, he was restless in his desires to sail in an English bottom upon it: yet was he for some years hindred, partly thorow envy of some at home, and partly thorow employment abroad into Ireland under Walter Earl of Essex, to whom he did much Noble service both by Sea and Land. Yet against the year 1577, he procured a Commission from the Queen,His preparations and with the help of divers Friends, Adventurers, he fitted himself with five ships. The Pellican, Admiral: of 100 Tun burden: himself the Captain. The Elizabeth, Vice-Admiral, of 80 Tuns: Captain John Winter. The Marigold, of 30 Tun: John Thomas Captain. The Swan, of 50 Tun: John Chester Captain. The Christopher, a Pinnace of 15 Tun: Thomas Moon Captain.
These ships had in them 264 able men, and were well furnished with all necessary provisions: and had some Pinnaces ready framed, stowed abroad, ready to be set up when occasion served. He had also skilful Musicians, Rich Furniture, the Vessels for his Table, and some for his Kitchin of pure Silver, and divers other sorts of Curious Workmanship, to shew the Riches and Magnificence of His Country.
Being thus furnished, they set sail from Plymouth, Nov. 15. 1577. but the wind coming contrary, they were forced to put into Falmouth: and to repair dammages, they were forced to stay till Decemb. 13. The first place they touched at, was the Isle of Mogadore within the Dominion of the King of Fess. From whence they departed, Decemb. 31. to Cape Barbas, and after they had refreshed themselves there for six days and stored themselves with fish, they set sail for Cape Verde, and touched at the Isle of Maio, a very fruitful place, where they found store of Figs, Coco-nuts, Plantanes, great heards of Goats, and flocks of wild Hens. From hence they passed by the Isle of S. Jagô, and came to the Isle of Fogo, in wch is a steep hill of about 18 miles to the top, wherein is a fiery furnace, which four times a day sends forth flames & abundance of Pumice-stones, the rest of the Island is fruitful and inhabited by Portugals. Two Leagues off is another Island called Brava abounding with trees, ever green, fruits, and other Commodities: as figs, cocoes, plantans, oranges, lemons, citrons, &c But the sea is so deep about it that there is no Anchoring. At Cape Verde they took in fresh water, and Feb. the second, set forwards for the Straights to pass into the South-sea.
By the way they came to the coast of Brasile, and passed on south-ward to the river of Plate, where they all met, and not finding a convenient Harbor there, they passed on till May 18. 1578. where, in another Bay they came to an Anchor. Here Captain Drake unloaded the Swan, and brake her to pieces that he might bring his men into a neerer compass, and neer hereto were some Islands upon which they took as many Sea-calves, and several sorts of Fowl as they pleased: and so having taken in such provisions as they needed, June 3. they set sail from thence, and June 12. came into another Bay, where they discharged the Christopher and laid her up. June 19. they found here the ship which they had lost long before in a storm: and so they entred Port S. Jalian to refresh their wearied men, and to cherish them who in their absence had sustained much misery. Here Captain Drake and some others going a shore were assaulted by the Natives, called Pentagons from their huge stature: these slew two of his men, but one of them being slain, the rest fled, and Captain Drake returned to his ships.
Whilst they remained here,A conspiracy discovered. there was a conspiracy discovered, a gentleman in the company having designed to murther the General, and to overthrow the Voyage: This being proved against him before a Council of war, he at last confessed it, and being therefore condemned to die, he was put to his choice, whether he would be set ashore amongst the Natives, or sent into England to answer it before the Queen and Council, or whether he would be executed there: He chose the last, and having prepared himself for death, had his head cut off.
Here the General discharged the Mary, a Portugal Prize, because she was leaky, and so having wooded, watered and trimmed his ships, having now only three ships remaining, Aug. 17. they departed setting their course for the Straights, and changed the name of his own ship from the Pelicane to the Golden Hind. And in their passage thorow the Straights they came to a fair and fruitful Island, where some of them going a shore with the General they took possession of it in Her Majesties name, & called it Elizabeth Island.He comes to the straights. Here they found on other Islands, many Penguins, of which in one day they killed 3000, which they found to be good and wholsome food. This passage was very difficult in regard of many turnings, and various Winds.
Sept. 6. They entred into the South-sea, the Straight being about 150 Leagues in length, in some places broader, and in other narrower: Their entrance into this sea was Sept. 7. presently after which, they met with a terrible Tempest which continued long, insomuch as Sept. 30. the Marigold was separated from them whereof John Thomas was Captain,He loses two of his ships. which they could never after meet with. And Octob. 7. in a sore storm the lost their Vice-admiral, the Elizabeth, which being weary of these troubles, returned thorow the Straights, and went for England whither they came the year following.
His many dangers.The Admiral, now left alone, was driven to the fifty fifth degree of South Latitude, where amongst Islands, they refreshed themselves for two days, and by the means of some herbs they found there, they recovered their health. Presently after they encountred with another dreadful storm which made them despair of safety, or rather the former renewed, which lasted full 52 days: in which time the men were so tired out, and decayed in health, as made them run again amongst those Islands, where they met with three days breathing, and provided such things as they wanted.
Octob. 30. The storm (thorow Gods mercy) being turned into a calm, they shaped their course towards the Coast of Peru, which proved very Mountainous and barren, without water and wood except some places inhabited by the Spaniards, wherefore they ran off again to an Island called Mucho, which they found to be fruitful and well stored with Maiz, Sheep, and other Cattel. Here he intended to water, and take in Provision, but the treacherous Indians killed two of his men on shore, and with their Arrows wounded all the men that were with him in the Boat, and himself was very dangerously wounded under the eye. Hereupon the General set sail again for the Main to get water, and fresh victuals for his weak and wounded men, and they came to an Anchor in Philips Bay, whence he sent a Boat for discovery, which brought back an Indian whom they took as he was fishing: By his means they gat some small relief, but that would not serve turn, wherefore a Captain of the Indians, being pleased with their gifts, and courteous usage, conducted them to another place where they had a plentiful supply of what their necessities required. There also they met with a Spanish ship wherein they found some fine gold of Baldivia, and a great Cross of gold beset with Emeralds, and a God of the same metal nailed to it: of this burden they eased the ship.
Then being very desirous to meet with their lost ships, they sought out an harbor where they might trim their ship, and set up their shallop, to enable them to search every creek for them. From the first place they came to they were driven by the Spaniards with the death of one of their men: But Decemb. 20. they met with a place wherein they did their intended work. And after the Pinnace was fitted, himself with some others went to seek for their ships, till the wind forced them back again, and then with their ship they proceeded in their voyage.
As they sailed along,His booties of treasure. they came to a place called Tarapaca, where landing to seek fresh water, they found a Spaniard asleep, with 13 Bars of silver lying by him, weighing about 4000 Spanish Ducats: Of these they eased him, and returned to their Boat. Landing in another place they met a Spaniard driving eight Peruvian sheep that carried in Bags about 800 weight of fine silver, which they also took along with them. A little farther they traded with some Indians to whom they gave knives, beads, and such trifles, and received by exchange many good things that they stood in need of; and amongst others some of those Peruvian sheep, whose heighth and length was equal to a pretty Cow, and their strength exceeding their stature. They have necks like Camels; their wool is exceeding fine, their flesh good meat; and they supply the room of horses both for burden, and travel. In the Province of Cusco, the common ground, wheresoever it's taken up,in every hundred pound weight of earth, yields 25 s. of pure silver, after the rate of five shillings an ounce.
From thence Feb. 7. They came to the Port town of Arica, where, in two Barks, they found forty and odd bars of silver, each weighing 20 pounds, of which they eased them. And as they passed on they met with another Bark laden with linnen, some of which they took for their own use. Feb. 15. They came to Lima, in which Port were 30 Spanish ships, yet they entred and cast Anchor all night in the midst of them. Here they heard of a ship wherein were 1500 bars of silver, besides silks, linnen, and a chest full of Royals of Plate: As also of another ship loaden with gold, and silver for Panama: Hence therefore they hasted next morning endeavouring to overtake that gallant ship, called Cacafuego, which was gone from Lima 14 days before them.
March first, They fell with Cape Francisco, where about midday they descried a ship a head of them, which was that they looked for: but by the way, they had taken a ship, laden with wine: and another, laden with tacklings,The Cacafuego taken▪ wherein they found 80 l. weight of gold. This Cacafuego (or evil sailer) they took, and before they left her, a boy of her own, named her Cacaplata. In her they found store of fruits, conserves, sugars, meal, &c. besides a quantity of jewels and precious stones: 13 chests of Royals of Plate; 8 pound-weight of gold: 26 tuns of uncoined silver, 2 large silver and gilt bowls, valued in all to 360 thousand Pezoes, which was the cause of her slow sailing: For these commodities they gave the Master a little linnen, and such other things, and so dismissed him, to go on his Voyage with more speed.
March 16. Being now quite out of hope of meeting with their lost ships, they came to the Isle of Caines, and Anchored in a fresh river, where they spent some days in taking in wood, water, and other necessaries: and in their passage they met with another ship laden with China silk, China dishes, and a Falcon of gold with a great Emerald set in his breast. April 15. Anno 1578. They came into the harbor of Guatuleo, inhabited with Spaniards, with whom they had some trading, and received of them many things which they needed, especially bread: and so being sufficiently provided of necessaries, they left the coast of America, yet not forgeting to take with them a pot of about a bushel in bigness, full of Royals of Plate, and a chain of gold, and some jewels which they met with in the Town.
April 16. They set their course directly into the sea, which they continued to June third till they came into the forty second degree of North latitude, where they met with such a strange change from heat to cold that much impaired the health of many of them. This much discouraged many of them, and made them despair of finding any passage that way; yet would not the General be disheartened, but cheered them up by comfortable speeches of the Divine Providence, and of Gods care over his children out of the Scriptures: adding thereto his own cheerful example, stirring them up to endure some short extremity to have the speedier comfort, and a little trouble to have the greater glory, which made them resolve to see the uttermost of what good was to be done that way.
June 5. They were forced to run in with the shoar by reason of contrary winds; the Road was bad, and dangerous by reason of extreme gusts, and flawes that beat upon them: Hereupon not staying long there, in regard of the extremity of cold they were forced to turn Southward: and June 17. they came to an Anchor in a fit Harbour, where yet they met with much cold; then some of their men went a shore to set up tents, and to make a fortress wherein to secure their goods whilst they trimmed their ship: The people of the country came in multitudes to them, wondering at every thing they saw, and esteeming them to be Gods, though they did what they could to undeceive them: They gave them shirts, linnen cloths, &c. wherewith to cover their nakedness and to hide their shame, and they returned feathers, cawls of net-work: their Quivers for their Arrows made of Fawns-skins, &c. Presently after came there King whom they called Hioh, and set his Crown upon the Generals Head, enriched his neck with chains, and by signs resigned to him his right and title in that whole Land; wherefore in the Name, and to the use of Her Majesty, he took the Scepter, Crown, and Dignity of the said Country into his hand, wishing that it had lyen fit for Her Majesty to enjoy, and that the riches, and treasure wherewith the Inland part abounds, might be conveniently transported into England, and that the Gospel might be propagated to these Ignorant and harmless people.
The General and his Gentlemen marched farther up into the land, which they found very fruitful, and saw infinite numbers of large and fat Deer: multitudes of Conies of a strange kind. This Country Captain Drake named Nova Albion: Nova Albion.and nailed fast to a tree a Plate of brass whereon was engraven Queen Elizabeths name: the day, and year of their arrival, and of the resignation of that Kingdom by the King and People into her Majesties hands, &c.
July 23. They took a sorowful leave of the English, and ran to the tops of Mountains to keep a sight of them as long as they could. Near to this Country lye the Islands of S. James in one of which they stayed, July 24. where they found store of Seals, Birds and such other provision as served their turns. After which they bent their course to run directly with the Islands of the Moluecos: and Sept. 30. They came within the sight of certain Islands, from whence they brought to them in their Canowe, Cocos, Fish, Pottatos, and some Fruit, which for a while they exchanged for other things: But the General smelt their design to make a prey of him and his, which they discerning began to throw stones at the English: But a great Gun being discharged over them so affrighted them, that they fled and returned no more. Yet others resorted to them, offering to deal more fairly with them, but cunningly fell to stealing what they could get, which made the General to leave them, and called it the Island of Thieves.
Octob. 21. They came within the sight of other Islands,They come into the East-Indies. and Anchored in one of them called Mindanas: From thence they came to the Moluccas Islands, the chief whereof are called Terenate, Tidore, Matchan, and Batchan, all very fruitful, and yielding abundance of Cloves, whereof they had as many as they desired at a cheap rate. As they directed their course to Tidore, the Vice-Roy of the King of Terenate came boldly aboard them, intreating the General by all means to go to Terenate, assuring him that their King would be very glad of his coming, and ready to do for him what in reason he could require, whereas if he went to their enemies the Portugals in Tidore, he would have nothing to do with him. Upon these perswasions the General ran with Terenate, and presently sent a messenger to the King with a velvet Cloke, as a present, requiring nothing but Provisions in exchange for such things they wanted, and whereof he had store: the King sent back the Vice-Roy and some others of his Nobles to the General to signifie that seeing he came from so mighty a Princess, he would willingly entertain amity with her, and would reserve the Commodities and Traffique of his whole Island, to trade with her Subjects if they would embrace it. In token whereof he sent the General his Signet, promising that himself with his Nobles would come to his ship, and bring her into a safer Harbour.
Whilst they were delivering this errand the Generals Messenger was come to the Court, and by the way was met by some Nobles, who conducted him to the Kings presence, to whom he delivered his Message, and Present. The King received it very graciously, and presently prepared himself to go in great State to the General, the rather to do Honour to our Queen from whom they came. The General received him answerable to his Dignity: His Ordnance thundred, mixed with small shot, and his Trumpets and other Instruments sounded to the great delight of the King and his company. He sent him also into his Canow such presents as he thought would be most acceptable, and work in him a confirmation of the Friendship already begun.
The King as soon as he had brought their Ship to an Anchor, left them, promising to send them necessary Victuals, and provision: and accordingly they had by way of traffique Rice, Hens, Sugar-canes, Plantanes, Cocos, and Meal: and some Cloves, and more they might have had if they had pleased. Novemb. 9. They departed, seeking out a place where they might trim their ship, and provide other necessaries; and Novemb. 14. They came to an Island uninhabited, where they aboad 26 days. There they set up their tents, raised a fort for their goods, set up a Smiths forg, trimmed their ship, and dispatched their other businesses to their content, finding in the Island divers sorts of excellent provisions, so that in that space they grew lusty, strong, and healthful, and gained rare experience of Gods wonderful wisdom in many strange, and admirable Creatures that they saw there. It was full of wood, the trees large, & streight, without boughs save only at the top: Amongst which every night they saw great swarms of fiery-worms flying in the air, whose bodies gave such a light as if every twig had been a lighted Candle, and the whole place the starry Sphear. Here also were store of Reer-mice as big, or bigger than Hens: and multitudes of Cray-fish where of one would satisfie four hungry men at dinner: they live always on the Land in holes like Cony-Berries.
Being thus well furnished with all necessaries, Decem. 12. They put to Sea, and Decemb. 16. Had sight of the Celibes Islands, where, amongst those Islands they were entangled till, Jan. 9. at which time apprehending themselves past all danger, passing on with full Sails, in the beginning of the night, their ship was laid fast up upon a desperate shoal,Their great danger. where was no probability of saving any thing, nor of escaping with life: and the more they looked about the less they hoped of geting clear off it again. Hereupon they presently fell to prayer expecting nothing but present Death. Yet that they might not seem to tempt God by leaving any means unattempted that he afforded, presently after their Prayers were ended, the General (exhorting them to have the chiefest care of the better part, the soul, and adding many comfortable speeches of the life to come, which now alone they looked for) encouraged them all to bestir themselves shewing the way thereto by his own Example: And first of all the pump was well plyed, and the ship freed of water, whereby they found their Leakes to be nothing encreased, which, though it gave them no hopes of deliverance, yet it gave them some hope of respite, in as much as it assured them that the bulk was sound, which they acknowledged to be the immediate providence of God alone, for that no strength of wood, and Iron could possibly have born so hard and violent a shock as their ship met with, dashing her self under full sail against the Rocks, except the extraordinary hand of God's had preserved the same.
Their next assay was for good ground and Anchor-hold to Sea-ward of them (whereon to hale;) by which means, if by any, the General put them in comfort that there was yet some hope left to cleer themselves: He therefore in his own Person undertook the charge of sounding, which when he had done he found that even but a boats length from the ship, there was no bottom to be found by any length of Line whatsoever: So that the beginnings of hope which they were willing to have conceived before, were now quite dashed again. Yea, their misery seemed to be encreased, for that their expectation was now turned into awaiting for a lingring death, of the two, the far more fearful to be chosen. Yet one thing fell out happily, that the most of their men did not apprehend that danger, which if they had done, they would probably have been so much discouraged, that their sorrow would have disabled them from looking after a remedy. But the General, and those few others, that could judge of the event wisely, dissembled the same, and gave encouraging speeches to the rest.
For now it seemed a clear case, that whilst the ship lay so fast moored that she could not stir, either they were there to remain on the place with her, or else leaving her to commit themselves in a most poor, and helpless estate to seek some other place of refuge, the better of which choices carried with it the appearance of worse than a thousand Deaths. For as touching their ship this was the only comfort that she could give them, that lying there confined already upon the hard and pinching Rocks, they could not but continually expect her speedy ruine, as soon as the sea and winds should come to be the severe Executioners of that heavy judgment, by the appointment of the Eternal Judge already given upon her, who had bound her there, as with Adamantine chains to a most narrow prison, against their coming for that purpose: So that if they stay'd with her, they must perish with her: or if by any means yet undiscovered, any of them there should chance to be delivered, their escape must needs be a perpetual misery: It being far better to perish together, than with the loss of their friends to live in a strange Land: whether a solitary life (the better choice) amongst wilde Beasts (as Birds on the mountains without all comfort) or amongst the barbarous heathens in intollerable bondage both of body and mind.
But put the case that the day of the ships destruction should be deferred, longer than either reason could perswade or in any likelihood could seem possible (it being not in the power of any ship whatsoever to suffer what she had already endured) yet could their abode there profit them nothing, but encrease their wretchedness, and enlarge their sorrows. For as her Store and Victuals were not much (sufficient to sustain them only for some few days, without hope of having any new supplies, no not so much as a cup of cold water) so must it inevitably come to pass, that they should be driven to eat the flesh of their own Arms; and how intollerable a thing this would have proved may easily be judged.
And if they had departed from her whither should they have gone to seek relief? Nay, the impossibility of going seemed to be no less than those other before mentioned. Their Boat was not able at once to carry above twenty Persons, and they were fifty eight in all: The nearest Land was eighteen miles from them, and the wind from the shoar directly beat against them; Or if they had thought of setting some a shoar, and then fetching the rest, there being no place thereabout without Inhabitants, the first that had Landed must first have faln into the hand of the Enemy,and so the rest in order as they came: And suppose they should escape the Sword, yet would their lives be worse than Death, not only in respect of their woful Captivity, and bodily miseries; but most of all in respect of their Christian Liberty, being to be deprived of all publick means of serving the true God, and continually grieved with the horrible Impieties, and Devilish Idolatries of the Heathen.
Their misery being thus manifest, the consideration thereof must needs have caused trembling to flesh and blood, if Faith in Gods Promises had not mightily sustained them. The night they passed with earnest longings that the Day would appear: the time they spent in frequent Prayer, and other Godly Exercises, thereby comforting themselves and reviving their hearts: striving to bring themselves to an holy submission under the hand of God, and to refer themselves wholly to his good will, and pleasure.
The Day at length appearing, and it being then almost ful-sea, after they had given thanks to God for his forbearing them so long, and had with tears called upon him to bless their labors, they again renewed their travel to see if now they could possibly find any Anchor-hold which they had formerly sought in vain. But this second attempt proved as fruitless as the former, and left them nothing to trust to but Prayers, and Tears, seeing it appeared now impossible that the prudence, policy,or power of man could ever effect the delivery of their ship, except the Lord miraculously should effect the same.
Then was it motioned, and by general voice determined to commend and commit their case to God alone, leaving themselves wholly in his hand, to destroy or save them as it should seem best to his gracious wisdom: and that their Faith might be the better strengthned, and their comfortable apprehension of Gods mercy in Christ be more clearly felt, they had a Sermon Preach'd by their Minister, Master Fletcher, and the Sacrament of the Lords Supper administred to them.
After which sweet repast, and other holy exercises adjoyning to it, ended, left they should in any respect seem guilty of neglecting of any lawful means that might conduce to their safety, they resolved to lighten their Ship by casting forth her Goods into the Sea, which accordingly in a very short time they dispatched with much alacrity. So that even those things which before they judged most necessary, considering their condition, they now despised, neither sparing their Ammunition for defence, nor the Food for the sustentation of their lives, but every thing as it first came to hand went overboard, assuring themselves that if it pleased God to deliver them out of that desperate strait, he would both fight for them against their enemies, and not suffer them to perish for want of Bread. But when they had done all they could, it was not their endeavour but Gods immediate hand, and good Providence that wrought their deliverance. It was he alone that having brought them to the shaddow of Death,set them at liberty again, after they had remained in that desperate condition full 20 hours, for the magnifying of his Almighty power and mercy.
The manner of their delivery was thus; The place where their Ship fate so fast was a firm Rock: the Ship struck on the Larboard side: at low water there was not above six foot depth in all, on the Starboard-side, and yet within a very little distance there was no bottom to be found. The Brieze during all the time that they were thus stayed, blew stifly against their broad side, and so kept the ship upright. But it pleased God in the beginning of the Tide; while the water was yet almost at the lowest, to slack the stiffness of the wind, and then their ship that required thirteen foot water to make her float, and had not at this time on one side about seven at most, wanting her prop on the other side, which had already too long kept her up,A wonderful deliverance. fell a heeling towards the deep water, and by that means freed her Kneel, and made them all glad men.
This, of all their other dangers in the whole Voyage was the greatest, yet not the last. For of a long season they could not free themselves, from the care and fear of those shallows: nor could they possibly come to any convenient Anchoring amongst them: But were continually tossed amongst those many Islands and Shoals of the Celibes, till the eighth day of the following month.
Jan. 12. Being not able to bear any Sails by reason of a Tempest, and fearing their many dangers, they let fall an Anchor upon a shoal. And Jan. 14. being got a little farther South, they again cast Anchor at an Island, where they spent a day in taking in water, and wood. After which they met with foul weather, and dangerous shoals for many days together, which occasioned them to leave these coasts, and to bear for Timor, the most Southerly Cape of the Celibes: Yet could they not so easily clear themselves as they expected: So that Jan. 20. They were forced to run with a small Island not far from thence; and while they were with their Boat at a good distance searching for a convenient place wherein to Anchor, they were suddenly environed with no small extremities. For there arose a most violent, and intollerable flaw, and storm from the south-west against them, making them (who were on a Lee-shoar, amongst most dangerous Rocks, and Shelves) extreamly to fear, not only the loss of their Boat and Men; but of themselves, their Ship, and Goods: or the casting of those men whom God should spare amongst Infidels; which misery could not by any Power or Industry of theirs have been prevented, had not the present goodness of God (by staying the outragious extremities wherewith they were environed) wrought their present delivery: By whose unspeakable goodness, their Boat and men also, were unexpectedly brought to them in safety.
January, 26. With much adoe they gat clear from this place, yet the Winde turning strong against them, they could bear no sail to the end of that month. February the first, They saw a very high Land, and would faign have born to it to have got some succour, but they could find no safe Harbour. February the third, They saw a small Island, but being still unable to bear any sail, they were carried away by the storm, and were not able to fetch it. February the sixth, They came to another Island, where they cast Anchor, and furnished themselves with water and wood.
February the eighth, Departing thence they spied two Canows coming towards them, which talked with them, and conducted them to their Town called Barativa. The People were Gentiles, of handsome Bodies, comely Stature, Civil demeanour, very just in their dealings, and courteous to strangers: were glad of their coming, and relieved their wants with what the Country could afford. Their Island is rich, and fruitful, having Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Sulpher, &c. And they are very skilful in working these Mettals. Their Fruits are Nutmegs, Ginger, Long pepper, Limons, Cocos, with divers others, of each of which they had from them, whatsoever they desired for their need: Having here spent two days, they departed very well refreshed.
After this they passed within sight of many Islands, but they neither needed nor desired to visit them, only they took in some fresh water at one of them, where they found two Turtles. March the tenth, They came to an Anchor under a high Land where they took in water,They come to Java Major. and then sent their Boat to traffique with the Inhabitants: and the next day the General sent his man with a Present to the King of Cloth, both Linnen and Woollen, and some Silk, which he gladly accepted, and thankfully received, and returned Rice, Cocos, Hens, and other Victuals. This was the Isle of Java: And March, the thirteenth, The General himself with his Gentlemen, and some others went a shoar, and Presented the King with his Musick (who entertained him joyfully) and shewed him the manner of the use of their Arms, by training of his men before him: and so they were dismissed with a promise that more victuals should be sent them.
In this Island there is one chief King and under him many petty Governors whom they call Raias, who live in great friendship one with another. March, the fourteenth, They received more victuals from them, and the day after, three of these Raias came to see the General and his ship, and warlike Ammunition, wherewith they were very much pleased: and relating it to the King, he went to see them himself carrying some victuals with him. The Raias came daily to them, whom the General entertained Courteously: and one of them brought an Ox, for which the General requited him with some Silks. Here they trimmed and washed their Ship of which she had great need, being in this long Voyage overgrown with a kind of shelfish which much hindred her sailing, They traded with this People for Hens, Goats, Cocos, Plantanes, and other things whereof they had great plenty.
March, the six and twentieth, An. Dom. One thousand five hundred and eighty, They departed shaping their course for the Cape of Good Hope: And June the fifteenth, They passed by that: And July the two and twentieth, They came to Sierra Leona, where they took in freshwater, and met with some Oisters, and plenty of Lemons which much refreshed them. And September the six and twentieth, (Which was Munday in the account of those that had stayd at home, but by their computation was the Lords Day) they safely, with joyful mindes, and thankful hearts to God for his wonderful goodness to them,Their return home. arrived at Plimouth, having spent two years, ten months, and some odd Days in seeing the wonders of the Lord in the Deep, in discovering very many admirable things, in going thorow with so many strange adventures, in escaping out of so many dangers, and overcoming so many difficulties in encompassing the World.
Queen Elizabeth going aboard this Ship, was therein Feasted by Captain Drake, at which time She Knighted him. The Ship was laid up at Deptford where the Carcase of it lay very many years after.