Page:Voyages and adventures of the renowned Admiral Drake.pdf/24

24 He also made himself master of the famous town of Nombre de Dios, which he destroyed likewise, with all the shipping there, after short resistance from the Spaniards; but he found no money in the town, though, in a watch-house, on the top of a hill, near the town, he found 20 sows of silver, 2 bars of gold, some pearl, coined money, and other pillage. Sir Thomas Baskerville, who commanded the land-forces, then marched, with 750 men, towards Panama; but returned soon after, finding the design of taking that place absolutely impracticable. This disappointment greatly chagrined Drake; however, he then resolved to proceed towards the island of Escudo, and from thence to Porto Bello: But before he could put his designs in practice, he was seized with a bloody flux, which carried him off the 28th of January, 1595, in the 51st year of his age. His corpse was, with a few maritime honours, thrown overboard; and thus the sea became at once his tomb and monument; the grave of his body, as it had been the theatre of his valour and intrepidity.

He was of a low stature, but well set; had a broad open chest, a very round head, his hair of a fine brown colour, his beard full and comely, his eyes large and clear, of a fair complexion, with a fresh, cheerful, and very engaging countenance. He died without issue, and left behind him a widow.

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