Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/46

26 of New Spaine, and was kindly entertained of the Admirall." The squadron left Acapulco on October 18th and cruised off the coast for some time, capturing a California pearl-fishing vessel with two friars. A consort vessel, under Iturbide, proved more fortunate in bringing safe to port a cargo of pearls, including one valued at the then high price of four thousand five hundred pesos.

Spilbergen now proceeded to Salagua, or Santiago Bay, where several of his men, while in quest of fresh provisions, were killed and captured by an ambuscaded party which is said to have been commanded by the navigator Vizcaino. The fleet passed on to Santiago, and to Navidad, where a captured monk procured lemons on being promised his liberty. When the time came to fulfil the promise, the crews objected to lose so valuable a prisoner, and Spilbergen had to quell a mutiny to keep his word with the monk.

Toward the end of November sail was set for Cape San Lúcas, there to watch for the Manila galleon; but the wind proving unfavorable the prows were turned for the Ladrones and Moluccas, and after staying here awhile Spilbergen completed the circumnavigation of the globe with a portion of his fleet. While falling short of the anticipated results of the voyage, he confirmed the opinion of his ability as a navigator.

While disaster was averted from Acapulco, it overtook the opposite port of Vera Cruz in another guise. New Vera Cruz, as it was called, to distinguish it from the old town on Rio Antigua, which still