A Svmmarie and Trve Discovrse of Sir Frances Drakes VVest Indian Voyage | Page 3

for the most parte belonging to Saint IOHN de LVCE, and the
Passage. In this ship was greate store of dry Nevvland fish, commonly
called vvith vs Poore Iohn, vvhereof aftervvards (being thus found a
lavvfull prize) there vvas distribution made into all the shippes of the
Fleete, the same being so new and good, as it did verie greatly bestead
vs in the whole course of our voyage. A day or two after the taking of
this ship, vve put in within the Isles of BAYON, for lacke of fauourable
vvind, where we had no sooner anckered some part of the Fleete, but

the Generall commaunded all the Pinnaces with the ship boates to be
manned, and euerye man to be furnished with such armes as vvas
needefull for that present seruice; vvhich being done, the Generall put
himselfe into his Galley, vvhich was also well furnished, and rowing
towardes the Citie of BAYON; with intent, and the fauour of the
Almightie to supprise it. Before we had aduaunced one halfe league of
our way, there came a messenger beeing an English Marchant from the
Gouernour, to see what straunge Fleete we were, who came to our
Generall, and conferred a while with him, and after a small time spent,
our Generall called for Captaine Sampson, and willed him to goe to the
Gouernour of the Citie, to resolue him of two pointes. The first, to
knowe if there were any warres beetweene Spaine and England. The
second, vvhy our Merchantes with their goodes were imbarred or
arrested. Thus departed Captaine Sampson with the saide Messenger to
the citie, vvhere he found the Gouernour and people much amazed of
such a suddaine accident.
The Generall with the aduice and counsell of Maister Carliell his
Lieuetenant generall, who was in the Galley with him, thought not
good to make any stand, till such time as they were within the shot of
the Citie, wher they might be ready vpon the returne of Captaine
Sampson, to make a suddaine attempt if cause did require before it
were darke.
Captaine Sampson returned with his message in this sort. First,
touching peace or warres the Gouernour said he knevve of no warres,
and that it lay not in him to make any, he being so meane a subiect as
hee vvas. And as for the stay of the Marchantes with their goodes, it
vvas the Kinges pleasure, but not with intent to endommage any man.
And that the Kinges conter commaundement vvas (vvhich had bene
receiued in that place some seauennight before) that English Marchants
vvith their goods should be discharged: for the more verifying vvhereof,
he sent such Marchants as vvere in the tovvne of our Nation, who
traffiqued those parts; vvhich being at large, declared to our generall by
them, counsell vvas taken vvhat myght best be done. And for that the
night approched, it vvas thought needefull to land our force, vvhich
vvas done in the shutting vp of the day, and hauing quartered our selues

to our most aduantage, vvyth sufficient gard vpon euery straight, vve
thought to rest our selues for that night there. The Gouernour sent vs
some refreshing, as bread, vvine, oyle, apples, grapes, marmalad and
such lyke. About midnight the vveather beginnes to ouercast, insomuch
that it vvas thought meeter to repaire aboord, then to make any longer
abode on land, and before vve could recouer the Fleete, a great tempest
arose, vvhich caused many of our ships to driue from their anker hold,
and some vvere forced to sea in great peril, as the barke Talbot, the
barke Hawkins, and the Speedewell, vvhich Speedewel onely vvas
driuen into England, the others recouered vs againe, the extremitie of
the storme lasted three dayes, vvhich no sooner beganne to asswage,
but Maister Carleill our Lieutenant generall, vvas sent vvith his ovvne
ship and three others: as also vvith the galley and vvith dyuers Pinnaces,
to see vvhat he might do aboue VIGO, vvhere he tooke many boates
and some Caruels, diuersly laden vvith thinges of small value, but
chiefly vvith houshold stuffe, running into the high countrey, and
amongst the rest, he found one boate laden vvith the principal Church
stuffe of the high Church of VIGO, vvhere also vvas their great Crosse
of siluer, of very fayre embossed vvorke, and double gilt all ouer,
hauing cost them a great masse of money. They complayned to haue
lost in all kind of goods aboue thirtie thowsand Duckets in this place.
The next day the General vvith his vvhole Fleete vvent vp from the
Isles of BAYON, to a very good harbour aboue VIGO, vvhere Maister
Carleill stayd his comming, asvvell for the more quiet riding of his
ships, as also for the good commoditie of fresh vvatering, vvhich