SIR FRANCIS DRAKE ad 



1586. 



regard had to the qualitie of the place, and seeing no 

 man of the Spanyards to shew themselves, aboorded the 

 Spanish Barkes or Boates, and so standing all open in 

 them, were suddenly shotte at by a troope of Span- 

 yardes out of the bushes : by which volley of shotte there 

 were slaine Captaine Varney, which dyed presently, and 

 Captaine Moone, who dyed some fewe dayes after, besides 

 some foure or five others that were hurt : and so our 

 folkes returned without their purpose, not having any 

 sufficient number of souldiers with them to fight on shore. 

 For those men they caryed were all Mariners to rowe, few 

 of them armed, because they made account with their 

 ordinance to have taken the Barkes well enough at sea, [III. 545.] 

 which they might full easily have done, without any losse 

 at all, if they had come in time to the harbour mouth, 

 before the Spaniards boates had gotten so neere the 

 shore. 



During our abode in this place, as also at S. Domingo, 

 there passed divers courtesies betweene us and the 

 Spaniards, as feasting, and using them with all kind- 

 nesse and favour : so as amongst others there came to 

 see the Generall, the Governour of Cartagena, with the 

 Bishop of the same, and divers other Gentlemen of the 

 better sort. 



This towne of Cartagena we touched in the out parts, 

 & consumed much with fire, as we had done S. Domingo 

 upon discontentments, and for want of agreeing with us 

 in their first treaties touching their ransome, which at the 

 last was concluded between us, should be 100. and loooo. 

 Ducats for that which was yet standing, the Ducat valued 

 at five shillings sixe pence sterling. 



This towne though not halfe so bigge as S. Domingo, 

 gives as you see, a farre greater ransome, being in very 

 deede of farre more importance, by reason of the excel- 

 lencie of the Harbour, and the situation thereof, to serve 

 the trade of Nombre de Dios and other places, and is 

 inhabited with farre more richer Merchants. The other 

 is chiefly inhabited with Lawyers and brave Gentlemen, 



12' 



