Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/769

Rh the Spaniards to the number of one hundred and ninety were put on shore, all of them save a few who, it was thought, might be useful as interpreters or pilots at the Islands. When the Englismen proceeded to divide their booty, difficulties, as usual, arose with threats of mutiny; especially from the men of the Content, which vessel had done but little during the fight, though finally, much to the satisfaction of the frightened prisoners, all was in due time amicably arranged. On the 17th the anniversary of the queen's coronation was celebrated on board the pirate with salutes, fireworks, and general rejoicing, and on the 19th they "set sayle ioyfully homewardes towardes England." The Content was left in the roads and was never heard of again; but the Desire completed the circumnavigation of the earth and anchored in Plymouth harbor September 9, 1588.

Cavendish prided himself on being a most humane and Christian pirate; he would not kill the people of the Santa Ana for the mere pleasure of it. He did not ravish the women, or throw overboard the children. After taking what he wanted out of the galleon, leaving still some five hundred tons of valuable cargo, and after setting fire to the vessel, he was not particular to see that every plank was burned before he left it. There was nothing mean about Cavendish; though it does not appear why he did not leave the ship to the Spaniards so that in it they might bring him more gold to capture. Another mark of Cavendish's humanity and fine gentlemanly feeling: before burning the Santa Ana he permitted the Spaniards to take away the sails with which to make themselves tents on the beach, and also some planks out of which they might build some boats to take them to Acapulco, so that they were quite comfortable. They were put ashore on the lower end of the peninsula, if we may believe the gentle highwayman, in a place "where they had a fayre river of fresh water, with great store of fresh fish, foule, and wood, and also many hares and conies