SPANISH TREACHERY. 299 



encountered a terrific storm, which lasted four days, and they had to cut down all the 

 "higher buildings" of the Jesus, their largest ship; her rudder, too, was nearly disabled, 

 and she leaked badly. They made for the coast of Florida, but could find no suitable 

 haven. "Thus, being in great despair, and taken with a new storm, which continued 

 other three days," Hawkins made for St. Juan de Ulloa, a port of the city of Mexico. 

 They took on their way three ships, having on board 100 passengers, and soon reached 

 the harbour. The Spaniards mistook them for a fleet from Spain, which was expected 

 about that time, and the chief officers came aboard to receive the despatches. " Being 

 deceived of their expectation," they were somewhat alarmed, but finding that Hawkins 

 wanted nothing but provisions, "were recomforted." " I found in the same port," says 

 Hawkins, "twelve ships, which had in them, by report, 200,000 in gold and silver; all 

 of which being in my possession, with the king's island, as also the passengers before in 

 my way thitherward stayed, I set at liberty, without the taking from them the weight 

 of a groat." This savours rather of impudent presumption, for he was certainly not in 

 good condition to fight at that period. Next day the Spanish fleet arrived outside, when 

 Hawkins again rode the high horse, by giving notice to the general that he would not 

 suffer them to enter the port until conditions had been made for their safe-being, and for 

 the maintenance of peace. The fleet had on board a new viceroy, who answered amicably, 

 and desired him to propose his conditions. Hawkins required not merely victuals and trade, 

 and hostages to be given on both sides, but that the island should be in his possession 

 during his stay, with such ordnance as was planted there, and that no Spaniard might 

 land on the island with any kind of weapon. These terms the viceroy "somewhat disliked" 

 at first, nor is it very surprising that he did ; but at length he pretended to consent, and 

 the Spanish ships entered the port. In a few days it became evident that treachery was 

 intended, as men and weapons in quantities were being transferred from and to the 

 Spanish ships, and new ordnance landed on the island. Hawkins sent to inquire what 

 was meant, and was answered with fair words ; still unsatisfied, he sent the master of the 

 Jesus, who spoke Spanish, to the viceroy, and "required to be satisfied if any such thing 

 were or not." The viceroy, now seeing that the treason must be discovered, retained the 

 master, blew his trumpet, and it became evident that a general attack was intended. A 

 number of the English crews ashore were immediately massacred. They attempted to 

 board the Minion and Jesus, but were kept out, with great loss on both sides. "Now," 

 says Hawkins, " when the Jesus and the Minion were gotten about two ships' lengths from 

 the Spanish fleet, the fight began so hot on all sides, that, within one hour, the admiral 

 of the Spaniards was supposed to be sunk, their vice-admiral burnt, and one other of their 

 principal ships supposed to be sunk. The Spaniards used their shore artillery to such 

 effect that it cut all the masts and yards of the Jesus, and sunk Hawkins' smaller ships, 

 the Judith only excepted." It had been determined, as there was little hope to get the 

 Jesus away, that she should be placed as a target or defence for the Minion till night, 

 when they would remove such of the stores and valuables as was possible, and then abandon 

 her. "As we were thus determining," says Hawkins, "and had placed the Minion from 

 the shot of the land, suddenly the Spaniards fired two great ships which were coming 

 directly with us; and having no means to avoid the fire, it bred among the men a 



