s, 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