Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/531

 IS7I-] THE RIDOLFI CONSPIRACY. 517 stated, had 16 vessels, 1600 men, and 400 guns, all at his Majesty's disposition, ready to go anywhere and to do anything which his Majesty might command so as it was in the Queen of Scots' service. For himself Sir John asked for nothing save pardon for the sins which he had committed in the Indies. He would cover the preparation of his ships by pretending that he was going to serve with Count Louis in an expedition against the Spanish coast. The Queen would give him leave and would fall into her own pit. He desired only to have the fleet in a condition to do his Majesty royal service. In this he was obliged to throw himself on his Majesty's liberality, and he requested his Majesty also to advance him two months' wages for 1600 men. The proposal seemed so liberal that Philip forgot his caution and dropped his reserve. He had still prudence enough to conceal the correspondence with Norfolk, Chapin's mission, and the intended assassination; but Fitzwilliam was allowed to know that England was really to be invaded, and that the blow was to be struck, if possible, at the end of the summer. Indentures were drawn at the Escurial and were signed by Fitzwilliam for Hawkins and by the Duke of Feria just before his death for Spain. Hawkins bound himself to have his fleet at sea, to be at the disposition of the Duke of Alva, in September and October. Philip consented to advance the necessary moneys, and being in a generous mood, expressed a hope that in the event of success Sir John and his friends would accept, in addition, some- thing handsome for themselves. The pardon for the