1579.] VOYAGE OF DRAKE. 73 



difficulty ; and so deep and lasting was the impression produced by 

 his achievements, that, for more than a century afterwards, his name 

 was never mentioned in those countries without exciting feelings of 

 horror and detestation. 



At length, in the spring of 1579, Drake, having completed his 

 visitation of the Spanish American coasts, by the plunder of the 

 town of Guatulco, on the south side of Mexico, and filled his vessel 

 with precious spoils, became anxious to return to England ; but, 

 having reason to expect that the Spaniards would intercept him, 

 if he should attempt to repass Magellan's Strait, he resolved to 

 seek a northern route to the Atlantic. Accordingly, on quitting 

 Guatulco, he steered west and north-west, and, having sailed in 

 those directions about 1400 leagues, he had, in the beginning of 

 June, advanced beyond the 42d degree of north latitude, where 

 his men, being thus " speedily come out of the extreme heat, found 

 the air so cold, that, being pinched with the same, they complained 

 of the extremity thereof." He had, in fact, reached the part of 

 the Pacific, near the American coasts, where the winds blow con- 

 stantly and violently, during the summer, from the north and north- 

 west, accompanied, generally, by thick fogs, which obscure the 

 heavens for many days, and even weeks, in succession ; and, find- 

 ing these difficulties increase, as he went farther, " he thought it 

 best, for that time, to seek the land." He accordingly soon made 

 the American coast, and endeavored to approach it, so as to anchor ; 

 but, finding no proper harbor there, he sailed along the shore south- 

 ward, until the 17th of the month, when " it pleased God to send 

 him into a fair and good bay, within 38 degrees towards the line." * 



In this bay the English remained five weeks, employed in re- 

 fitting their vessel, and obtaining such supplies for their voyage 

 as the country offered. The natives, " having their houses close by 

 the water's side," at first exhibited signs of hostility : but they 

 were soon conciliated by the kind and forbearing conduct of the 

 strangers ; and their respect for Drake increased, so that, when 

 they saw him about to depart, they earnestly prayed him to con- 

 tinue among them as their king. The naval hero, though not 

 disposed to undertake, in person, the duties of sovereignty over a 



* These quotations are from the Famous Voyage of Sir Francis Drake, by Francis 

 Pretty, one of the crew of Drake's vessel, written at the request of Hakluyt, and 

 published by him in 1589. It is a plain and succinct account of what the writer saw, 

 or believed to have occurred, during the voyage, and bears all the marks of truth 

 and authenticity. 



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