THE TAKING OF THE « MADRE DE DIOS ' a.d. 



1592. 

 present accord on all sides followed not to part company 

 or leave of those seas till time should present cause to 

 put their consultations in execution. The next day her 

 Majesties good ship the Foresight commanded by sir 

 Rob. Crosse came in to the rest : and he likewise in- 

 formed of the matter was soone drawen into this service. 

 Thus sir John with al these ships departing thence 6 

 or 7 leagues to the West of Flores, they spread them- 

 selves abroad from the North to the South, ech ship two 

 leagues at the least distant from another. By which 

 order of extension they were able to discover the space 

 of two whole degrees at sea. In this sort they lay 

 from the 29 of June to the third of August, what time 

 cap. Thomson in the Dainty had first sight of the huge 

 carak called the Madre de Dios, one of the greatest receit 

 belonging to the crowne of Portugall. The Dainty 

 being of excellent saile got the start of the rest of our 

 fleet, and began the conflict somewhat to her cost, with 

 the slaughter and hurt of divers of her men. Within 

 a while after, sir John Burrough in the Robucke of sir 

 W. Raleghs, was at hand to second her, who saluted her 

 with shot of great ordinance, and continued the fight 

 within musket shot assisted by cap. Tomson and cap. 

 Newport till sir R. Crosse viceadmirall of the fleet came 

 up being to leeward, at whose arrival sir J. Burgh 

 demanded of him what was best to be done, who 

 answered, that if the carak were not boorded she would 

 recover the shore and fire herselfe as the other had done. 

 Wherupon sir J. Burgh concluded to intangle her ; and 

 sir R. Crosse promised also to fasten himselfe to her 

 together at the instant ; which was performed : but after 

 a while sir John Burgh receiving a shot with a canon 

 perier under water, and ready to sinke, desired sir R. C. 

 to fall off, that he might also cleere himselfe, and save 

 his ship from sinking, which with difficulty he did : for 

 both the Roebucke and the Foresight were so intangled, 

 as with much adoe could they cleere themselves. 



The same evening sir R. Crosse finding the carak then 

 vii 113 h 



