Sir Francis Drake\'s Famous Voyage Round the World

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SIR FRANCIS DRAKE'S FAMOUS VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD


Narrative By Francis Pretty,

One Of Drake's Gentlemen At Arms.


PREPARER'S NOTE
This text was prepared from a 1910 edition, published by P F
Collier & Son Company, New York.



The FAMOUS VOYAGE of Sir FRANCIS DRAKE into the South Sea, and
therehence about the whole Globe of the Earth, begun in the year
of our Lord 1577.



The 15th day of November, in the year of our Lord 1577, Master Francis
Drake, with a fleet of five ships and barks, and to the number of 164
men, gentlemen and sailors, departed from Plymouth, giving out his
pretended voyage for Alexandria. But the wind falling contrary, he was
forced the next morning to put into Falmouth Haven, in Cornwall, where
such and so terrible a tempest took us, as few men have seen the like,
and was indeed so vehement that all our ships were like to have gone
to wrack. But it pleased God to preserve us from that extremity and to
afflict us only for that present with these two particulars: the mast of
our Admiral, which was the Pelican, was cut overboard for the safeguard
of the ship, and the Marigold was driven ashore, and somewhat bruised.
For the repairing of which damages we returned again to Plymouth; and
having recovered those harms, and brought the ships again to good state,
we set forth the second time from Plymouth, and set sail the 13th day of
December following.

The 25th day of the same month we fell with the Cape Cantin, upon the
coast of Barbary; and coasting along, the 27th day we found an island
called Mogador, lying one mile distant from the main. Between which
island and the main we found a very good and safe harbour for our ships
to ride in, as also very good entrance, and void of any danger. On this
island our General erected a pinnace, whereof he brought out of England
with him four already framed. While these things were in doing, there
came to the water's side some of the inhabitants of the country, shewing
forth their flags of truce; which being seen of our General, he sent his
ship's boat to the shore to know what they would. They being willing to
come aboard, our men left there one man of our company for a pledge, and
brought two of theirs aboard our ship; which by signs shewed our General
that the next day they would bring some provision, as sheep, capons, and
hens, and such like. Whereupon our General bestowed amongst them some
linen cloth and shoes, and a javelin, which they very joyfully received,
and departed for that time. The next morning they failed not to come
again to the water's side. And our General again setting out our boat,
one of our men leaping over-rashly ashore, and offering friendly to
embrace them, they set violent hands on him, offering a dagger to his
throat if he had made any resistance; and so laying him on a horse
carried him away. So that a man cannot be too circumspect and wary of
himself among such miscreants. Our pinnace being finished, we departed
from this place the 30th and last day of December, and coasting along
the shore we did descry, not contrary to our expectation, certain
_canters_, which were Spanish fishermen; to whom we gave chase and took
three of them. And proceeding further we met with three carvels, and
took them also.

The 17th day of January we arrived at Cape Blanco, where we found a ship
riding at anchor, within the Cape, and but two simple mariners in her.
Which ship we took and carried her further into the harbour, where we
remained four days; and in that space our General mustered and trained
his men on land in warlike manner, to make them fit for all occasions.
In this place we took of the fishermen such necessaries as we wanted,
and they could yield us; and leaving here one of our little barks,
called the Benedict, we took with us one of theirs which they called
_canters_, being of the burden of 40 tons or thereabouts. All these
things being finished we departed this harbour the 22nd of January,
carrying along with us one of the Portugal carvels, which was bound to
the islands of Cape Verde for salt, whereof good store is made in one
of those islands. The master or pilot of that carvel did advertise our
General that upon one of those islands, called Mayo, there was great
store of dried _cabritos_ (goats), which a few inhabitants there
dwelling did yearly make ready for such of the king's ships as did there
touch, being bound for his country of Brazil or elsewhere. We fell with
this island the 27th of January, but the inhabitants would in no case
traffic with us, being thereof forbidden by the king's edict. Yet the
next day our General sent to view the island, and the likelihoods that
might be there of the provision of victuals, about threescore and
two men under the conduct and government of Master Winter and Master
Doughty. And marching towards the chief place of habitation in this
island (as by the Portugal we were informed), having travelled to the
mountains the space of three miles, and arriving there somewhat before
the daybreak, we arrested ourselves, to see day before us. Which
appearing, we found the inhabitants to be fled; but the place, by reason
that it was manured, we found to be more fruitful than the other part,
especially the valleys among the hills.

Here we gave ourselves a little refreshing, as by very ripe and sweet
grapes, which the fruitfulness of the earth at that season of winter,
it may seems strange that those fruits were then there growing. But the
reason thereof is this, because they being between the tropic and the
equinoctial, the sun passeth twice in the year through their zenith over
their heads, by means whereof they have two summers; and being so near
the heat of the line they never lose the heat of the sun so much, but
the fruits have their increase and continuance in the midst of winter.
The island is wonderfully stored with goats and wild hens; and it hath
salt also, without labour, save only that the people gather it into
heaps; which continually in greater quantity is increased upon the sands
by the flowing of the sea, and the receiving heat of the sun kerning the
same. So that of the increase thereof they keep a continual traffic with
their neighbours.

Amongst other things we found here a kind of fruit called _cocos_, which
because it is not commonly known with us in England, I thought good to
make some description of it. The tree beareth no leaves nor branches,
but at the very top the fruit groweth in clusters, hard at the top of
the stem of the tree, as big every several fruit as a man's head; but
having taken off the uttermost bark, which you shall find to be very
full of strings or sinews, as I may term them, you shall come to a hard
shell, which may hold a quantity of liquor a pint commonly, or some
a quart, and some less. Within that shell, of the thickness of
half-an-inch good, you shall have a kind of hard substance and very
white, no less good and sweet than almonds; within that again, a certain
clear liquor which being drunk, you shall not only find it very delicate
and sweet, but most comfortable and cordial.

After we had satisfied ourselves with some of these fruits, we marched
further into the island, and saw great store of _cabritos_ alive, which
were so chased by the inhabitants that we could do no good towards our
provision; but they had laid out, as it were to stop our mouths withal,
certain old dried _cabritos_, which being but ill, and small and few,
we made no account of. Being returned to our ships, our General departed
hence the 31st of this month, and sailed by the island of Santiago, but
far enough from the danger of the inhabitants, who shot and discharged
at us three pieces; but they all fell short of us, and did us no harm.
The island is fair and large, and, as it seemeth, rich and fruitful,
and inhabited by the Portugals; but the mountains and high places of the
island are said to be possessed by the Moors, who having been slaves to
the Portugals, to ease themselves, made escape to the desert places
of the island, where they abide with great strength. Being before this
island, we espied two ships under sail, to the one of which we gave
chase, and in the end boarded her with a ship-boat without resistance;
which we found to be a good prize, and she yielded unto us good store
of wine. Which prize our General committed to the custody of Master
Doughty; and retaining the pilot, sent the rest away with his pinnace,
giving them a butt of wine and some victuals, and their wearing clothes,
and so they departed. The same night we came with the island called by
the Portugals _Ilha do Fogo_, that is, the burning island; in the north
side whereof is a consuming fire. The matter is said to be of sulphur,
but, notwithstanding, it is like to be a commodious island, because the
Portugals have built, and do inhabit there. Upon the south side thereof
lieth a most pleasant and sweet island, the trees whereof are always
green and fair to look upon; in respect whereof they call it _Ilha
Brava_, that is, the brave island. From the banks thereof into the sea
do run in many places reasonable streams of fresh water easy to come by,
but there was no convenient road for our ships; for such was the depth
that no ground could be had for anchoring. And it is reported that
ground was never found in that place; so that the tops of _Fogo_ burn
not so high in the air, but the roots of _Brava_ are quenched as low in
the sea.

Being departed from these islands, we drew towards the line, where we
were becalmed the space of three weeks, but yet subject to divers great
storms, terrible lightnings and much thunder. But with this misery we
had the commodity of great store of fish, as dolphins, bonitos, and
flying-fishes, whereof some fell into our ships; wherehence they could
not rise again for want of moisture, for when their wings are dry they
cannot fly.

From the first day of our departure from the islands of Cape Verde, we
sailed 54 days without sight of land. And the first land that we fell
with was the coast of Brazil, which we saw the fifth of April, in the
height of 33 degrees towards the pole Antarctic. And being discovered
at sea by the inhabitants of the country, they made upon the coast great
fires for a sacrifice (as we learned) to the devils; about which they
use conjurations, making heaps of sand, and other ceremonies, that when
any ship shall go about to stay upon their coast, not only sands may
be gathered together in shoals in every place, but also that storms and
tempests may arise, to the casting away of ships and men, whereof, as it
is reported, there have been divers experiments.

The 7th day in a mighty great storm, both of lightning, rain, and
thunder, we lost the canter, which we called the Christopher. But the
eleventh day after, by our General's great care in dispersing his ships,
we found her again, and the place where we met our General called the
Cape of Joy, where every ship took in some water. Here we found a good
temperature and sweet air, a very fair and pleasant country with an
exceeding fruitful soil, where were great store of large and mighty
deer, but we came not to the sight of any people; but travelling further
into the country we perceived the footing of people in the clay ground,
shewing that they were men of great stature. Being returned to our ships
we weighed anchor, and ran somewhat further, and harboured ourselves
between the rock and the main; where by means of the rock that brake the
force of the sea, we rid very safe. And upon this rock we killed for our
provision certain sea-wolves, commonly called with us seals. From hence
we went our course to 36 degrees, and entered the great river of Plate,
and ran into 54 and 53 1/2 fathoms of fresh water, where we filled
our water by the ship's side; but our General finding here no good
harborough, as he thought he should, bare out again to sea the 27th of
April, and in bearing out we lost sight of our fly-boat wherein Master
Doughty was. But we, sailing along, found a fair and reasonable good
bay, wherein were many and the same profitable islands; one whereof had
so many seals as would at the least have laden all our ships, and
the rest of the islands are, as it were, laden with fowls, which is
wonderful to see, and they of divers sorts. It is a place very plentiful
of victuals, and hath in it no want of fresh water. Our General, after
certain days of his abode in this place, being on shore in an island,
the people of the country shewed themselves unto him, leaping and
dancing, and entered into traffic with him, but they would not receive
anything at any man's hands, but the same must be cast upon the ground.
They are of clean, comely, and strong bodies, swift on foot, and seem to
be very active.

The 18th of May, our General thought it needful to have a care of such
ships as were absent; and therefore endeavouring to seek the fly-boat
wherein Master Doughty was, we espied her again the next day. And
whereas certain of our ships were sent to discover the coast and to
search an harbour, the Marigold and the canter being employed in that
business, came unto us and gave us understanding of a safe harbour that
they had found. Wherewith all our ships bare, and entered it; where we
watered and made new provision of victuals, as by seals, whereof we slew
to the number of 200 or 300 in the space of an hour. Here our General in
the Admiral rid close aboard the fly-boat, and took out of her all the
provision of victuals and what else was in her, and hauling her to the
land, set fire to her, and so burnt her to save the iron work. Which
being a-doing, there came down of the country certain of the people
naked, saving only about their waist the skin of some beast, with the
fur or hair on, and something also wreathed on their heads. Their faces
were painted with divers colours, and some of them had on their heads
the similitude of horns, every man his bow, which was an ell in length,
and a couple of arrows. They were very agile people and quick to
deliver, and seemed not to be ignorant in the feats of wars, as by their
order of ranging a few men might appear. These people would not of a
long time receive anything at our hands; yet at length our General being
ashore, and they dancing after their accustomed manner about him, and he
once turning his back towards them, one leaped suddenly to him, and took
his cap with his gold band off his head, and ran a little distance from
him, and shared it with his fellow, the cap to one and the band to the
other. Having despatched all our business in this place, we departed
and set sail. And immediately upon our setting forth we lost our canter,
which was absent three or four days; but when our General had her again,
he took out the necessaries, and so gave her over, near to the Cape
of Good Hope. The next day after, being the 20th of June, we harboured
ourselves again in a very good harborough, called by Magellan, Port
St. Julian, where we found a gibbet standing upon the main; which we
supposed to be the place where Magellan did execution upon some of his
disobedient and rebellious company.

The two and twentieth day our General went ashore to the main, and in
his company John Thomas, and Robert Winterhie, Oliver the master-gunner,
John Brewer, Thomas Hood, and Thomas Drake. And entering on land,
they presently met with two or three of the country people. And Robert
Winterhie having in his hands a bow and arrows, went about to make a
shoot of pleasure, and, in his draught, his bowstring brake; which the
rude savages taking as a token of war, began to bend the force of their
bows against our company, and drove them to their shifts very narrowly.

In this port our General began to enquire diligently of the actions of
Master Thomas Doughty, and found them not to be such as he looked for,
but tending rather of contention or mutiny, or some other disorder,
whereby, without redress, the success of the voyage might greatly
have been hazarded. Whereupon the company was called together and made
acquainted with the particulars of the cause, which were found, partly
by Master Doughty's own confession, and partly by the evidence of the
fact, to be true. Which when our General saw, although his private
affection to Master Doughty, as he then in the presence of us all
sacredly protested, was great, yet the care he had of the state of the
voyage, of the expectation of her Majesty, and of the honour of his
country did more touch him, as indeed it ought, than the private respect
of one man. So that the cause being thoroughly heard, and all things
done in good order as near as might be to the course of our laws in
England, it was concluded that Master Doughty should receive punishment
according to the quality of the offence. And he, seeing no remedy but
patience for himself, desired before his death to receive the communion,
which he did at the hands of Master Fletcher, our minister, and our
General himself accompanied him in that holy action. Which being done,
and the place of execution made ready, he having embraced our General,
and taken his leave of all the company, with prayers for the Queen's
Majesty and our realm, in quiet sort laid his head to the block, where
he ended his life. This being done, our General made divers speeches to
the whole company, persuading us to unity, obedience, love, and regard
of our voyage; and for the better confirmation thereof, willed every
many in the next Sunday following to prepare himself to the communion,
as Christian brethren and friends ought to do. Which was done in very
reverent sort; and so with good contentment every man went about his
business.

The 17th of August we departed the port of St. Julian, and the 20th day
we fell with the Strait of Magellan, going into the South Sea; at the
cape or headland whereof we found the body of a dead man, whose flesh
was clean consumed. The 21st day we entered the Strait, which we found
to have many turnings, and as it were shuttings-up, as if there were no
passage at all. By means whereof we had the wind often against us; so
that some of the fleet recovering a cape or point of land, others should
be forced to turn back again, and to come to an anchor where they could.
In this Strait there be many fair harbours, with store of fresh water.
But yet they lack their best commodity, for the water there is of such
depth, that no man shall find ground to anchor in except it be in some
narrow river or corner, or between some rocks; so that if any extreme
blasts or contrary winds do come, whereunto the place is much subject,
it carrieth with it no small danger. The land on both sides is very huge
and mountainous; the lower mountains whereof, although they be monstrous
and wonderful to look upon for their height, yet there are others which
in height exceed them in a strange manner, reaching themselves above
their fellows so high, that between them did appear three regions of
clouds. These mountains are covered with snow. At both the southerly and
easterly parts of the Strait there are islands, among which the sea hath
his indraught into the Straits, even as it hath in the main entrance of
the frete. This Strait is extreme cold, with frost and snow continually;
the trees seem to stoop with the burden of the weather, and yet are
green continually, and many good and sweet herbs do very plentifully
grow and increase under them. The breadth of the Strait is in some
places a league, in some other places two leagues and three leagues, and
in some other four leagues; but the narrowest place hath a league over.

The 24th of August we arrived at an island in the Straits, where we
found great store of fowl which could not fly, of the bigness of geese;
whereof we killed in less than one day 3,000, and victualled ourselves
thoroughly therewith. The 6th day of September we entered the South Sea
at the cape or head shore. The 7th day we were driven by a great storm
from the entering into the South Sea, 200 leagues and odd in longitude,
and one degree to the southward of the Strait; in which height, and so
many leagues to the westward, the 15th day of September, fell out
the eclipse of the moon at the hour of six of the clock at night. But
neither did the ecliptical conflict of the moon impair our state, nor
her clearing again amend us a whit; but the accustomed eclipse of
the sea continued in his force, we being darkened more than the moon
sevenfold.[*]

[*] In this storm the Marigold went down with all hands.

From the bay which we called the Bay of Severing of Friends, we were
driven back to the southward of the Straits in 57 degrees and a tierce;
in which height we came to an anchor among the islands, having there
fresh and very good water, with herbs of singular virtue. Not far from
hence we entered another bay, where we found people, both men and women,
in their canoes naked, and ranging from one island to another to seek
their meat; who entered traffic with us for such things as they had.
We returning hence northward again, found the third of October three
islands, in one of which was such plenty of birds as is scant
credible to report. The 8th day of October we lost sight of one of our
consorts,[*] wherein Master Winter was; who, as then we supposed, was
put by a storm into the Straits again. Which at our return home we found
to be true, and he not perished, as some of our company feared. Thus
being come into the height of the Straits again, we ran, supposing the
coast of Chili to lie as the general maps have described it, namely
north-west; which we found to lie and trend to the north-east and
eastwards. Whereby it appeareth that this part of Chili hath not been
truly hitherto discovered, or at the least not truly reported, for the
space of twelve degrees at the least; being set down either of purpose
to deceive, or of ignorant conjecture.

[*] The Elizabeth. Winter, having slight of the Admiral,
sailed home. The Golden Hind was thus left to pursue her
voyage alone.

We continuing our course, fell the 29th of November with an island
called La Mocha, where we cast anchor; and our General, hoisting out our
boat, went with ten of our company to shore. Where we found people whom
the cruel and extreme dealings of the Spaniards have forced, for their
own safety and liberty, to flee from the main, and to fortify themselves
in this island. We being on land, the people came down to us to the
water side with show of great courtesy, bringing to us potatoes, roots,
and two very fat sheep; which our General received, and gave them other
things for them, and had promised to have water there. But the next day
repairing again to the shore, and sending two men a-land with barrels
to fill water, the people taking them for Spaniards (to whom they use to
show no favour if they take them) laid violent hands on them, and, as we
think, slew them. Our General seeing this, stayed there no longer, but
weighed anchor, and set sail towards the coast of Chili. And drawing
towards it, we met near the shore an Indian in a _canoa_, who thinking
us to have been Spaniards, came to us and told us, that at a place
called Santiago, there was a great Spanish ship laden from the kingdom
of Peru; for which good news our General gave him divers trifles.
Whereof he was glad, and went along with us and brought us to the place,
which is called the port of Valparaiso. When we came thither we found,
indeed, the ship riding at anchor, having in her eight Spaniards and
three negroes; who, thinking us to have been Spaniards, and their
friends, welcomed us with a drum, and made ready a _botija_ of wine of
Chili to drink to us. But as soon as we were entered, one of our
company called Thomas Moon began to lay about him, and struck one of the
Spaniards, and said unto him, _Abaxo perro!_ that is in English, 'Go
down, dog!' One of these Spaniards, seeing persons of that quality in
those seas, crossed and blessed himself. But, to be short, we stowed
them under hatches, all save one Spaniard, who suddenly and desperately
leapt overboard into the sea, and swam ashore to the town of Santiago,
to give them warning of our arrival.

They of the town, being not above nine households, presently fled away
and abandoned the town. Our General manned his boat and the Spanish
ship's boat, and went to the town; and, being come to it, we rifled it,
and came to a small chapel, which we entered, and found therein a silver
chalice, two cruets, and one altar-cloth, the spoil whereof our General
gave to Master Fletcher, his minister. We found also in this town a
warehouse stored with wine of Chili and many boards of cedar-wood; all
which wine we brought away with us, and certain of the boards to burn
for firewood. And so, being come aboard, we departed the haven, having
first set all the Spaniards on land, saving one John Griego, a Greek
born, whom our General carried with him as pilot to bring him into the
haven of Lima.

When we were at sea our General rifled the ship, and found in her good
store of the wine of Chili, and 25,000 pesos of very pure and fine gold
of Valdivia, amounting in value to 37,000 ducats of Spanish money,
and above. So, going on our course, we arrived next at a place called
Coquimbo, where our General sent fourteen of his men on land to fetch
water. But they were espied by the Spaniards, who came with 300 horsemen
and 200 footmen, and slew one of our men with a piece. The rest came
aboard in safety, and the Spaniards departed. We went on shore again and
buried our man, and the Spaniards came down again with a flag of truce;
but we set sail, and would not trust them. From hence we went to a
certain port called Tarapaca; where, being landed, we found by the sea
side a Spaniard lying asleep, who had lying by him thirteen bars of
silver, which weighed 4,000 ducats Spanish. We took the silver and left
the man. Not far from hence, going on land for fresh water, we met with
a Spaniard and an Indian boy driving eight llamas or sheep of Peru,
which are as big as asses; every of which sheep had on his back two bags
of leather, each bag containing 50 lb. weight of fine silver. So that,
bringing both the sheep and their burthen to the ships, we found in all
the bags eight hundred weight of silver.