fest glory of the
whole South Sea," had such a long start of him that she might unload at
Panama before he could come up with her. The Spaniards, a lubberly
lot, brave soldiers but never handy sailors, were afraid of the Straits
of Magellan and knew nothing of Cape Horn; so they always sent their
treasure across the Isthmus of Panama.

Drake set every stitch of canvas the _Golden Hind_ could carry, taking
four more prizes by the way and learning that he was gaining on the
treasure ship. After clearing the prizes he sent them back with no one
on board hurt, plenty to eat and drink, and presents for all ranks and
ratings--very much to the amazement of the Spaniards. "Only a day
ahead," was the news the last prize gave him. But they were nearing
Panama; so Drake strained every nerve anew, promising a chain of solid
gold to the first look-out who saw the chase. Next midday his cousin,
young Jack Drake, yelled out "Sail-ho!" and climbed down on deck to get
the golden chain.

Panama was now so close that Drake was afraid of scaring the treasure
ship into making a run for it; so he trailed twelve empty wine casks
over the stern to slacken the speed of the _Golden Hind_ and make her
look more like a lubberly Spaniard. As the evening breeze came up and
reached him first he cut the casks adrift, set every sail, and
presently ran alongside. "Who are you?" asked the Spanish captain. "A
ship of Chili!" answered Drake. But when Don Anton looked down on the
_Golden Hind_ he saw her decks crowded with armed men from whom a
thundering shout of triumph came--"English! English! Strike sail!"
Then Drake blew his whistle, at which there was perfect silence while
he called, "Strike sail, Senor Anton! or I must send you to the
bottom!" Anton, however, was a very brave man, and he stoutly replied,
"Strike sail? Come and do it yourself!" At once the English guns cut
down his masts and rigging, while a perfect hail of arrows prevented
the Spaniards from clearing the wreckage away. Don Anton's crew began
running below, and when, in despair of making sail, he looked overside,
there was gigantic Tom Moone, at the head of the boarders, climbing out
of the pinnace. Then Anton struck his flag, was taken aboard the
_Golden Hind_, and, with all his crew, given a splendid banquet by his
English foes. After this the millions and millions of treasure were
loaded aboard the _Golden Hind_, and the Spaniards were given handsome
presents to