Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/613

 home without some exploits, their estates would be less. Hereupon, the Captain discovering his mind to his Lieutenant, whose name was FROST; they two, after consultation between themselves, persuaded the rest of their company to try their uttermost adventures rather than like cowards to go back: who, hearing the Captain's resolution, were on fire to follow him through all dangers, happen whatsoever could. And so they clapped hands upon this desperate bargain, yet protesting and seriously vowing not to turn pirates; thereby to make booty either of their own countrymen or friends to the State.

Good hope thus, and a prosperous wind filling their sails; they hovered along the coast of Galicia, which lies upon the head of Portugal to the northward. In passing by which, the ship being clear [? of enemies] and the shores quiet; the Captain commanded them to cast anchor before a certain town called Cris, which had a platform or fort with ordnance to defend it. And this was done at noon day.

Then he, being perfect in the French tongue, wrote a letter in that language to the Governor or Captain of the fort, importing thus much. "That they were poor distressed Frenchmen, driven thither by some Turkish Men of War; and flying to them (as to their friends) for succour: pretending their greatest want to be wood for firing, and fresh water to relieve them. Of both which necessaries, they knew that place to be abundantly stored; and for which they would give any reasonable content." Thus riding at anchor in sight of the town, and their cock-boat being lost in a storm; they had no other device to convey the letter to the Spanish Commander, than by sending a sailor upon an empty hogshead, with an oar in his hand to guide him to land; he being very skilful both in French, and in swimming.

The Spaniards seeing a man making to them in that strange manner, thought verily they were men distressed indeed: and thereupon manning out a skiff to meet and receive him, they took him in.

The letter spake his business to the Spanish Captain, who talking further in French to the mariner, and being thereupon certainly assured of their distress; determined to sell to them such commodities as they wanted at as dear a rate as he could: and for that purpose commanded another skiff to be manned out with certain Spaniards; who, suspecting nothing,