Page:Voyages and adventures of the renowned Admiral Drake.pdf/8

8 him away to his pinnace, judging that preserving his life was the only chance of after success, or of getting safe home. Thus they abandoned the richest spoil that ever raised the expectation of adventurers; there being, as they were afterwards informed, 360 tons of silver, and far greater value in gold, which was in iron chests in the King’s treasure-house. At break of day, on the 29th of July, they embarked, having several men, besides Captain Drake, wounded, and one of their trumpeters killed.

Before they set off, they took, after some resistance, the ship laden with wine, formerly mentioned, and carried her to Bastimentes, about a league from Nombre de Dios, where they refreshed themselves two days, and then returned to their ships at the island of Pinas. Holding there a consultation with Capt. Rawse, how they should proceed in their present situation: the latter was of opinion, that they were no longer safe to continue on that coast, since they were discovered, and was for departing. Drake readily consented that Rawse should depart, which he did; but, for his own part, he was so chagrined at the disappointment he had met with, that he resolved to attempt some other exploit, which he hoped would prove more successful. Drake departed, with his 2 ships and 3 pinnaces for Carthagena, where he arrived on the 13th of August; and the same day took two Spanish Ships, one of which was of 240 tons burthen. The next morning he took 2 frigates more; and on the 15th he thought fit to burn one of his own ships, that he might have the more men to spare to man his pinnaces.

Drake continued a considerable time in these