towrson's second voyage. 
155 
the king drank, which he did from a cup of gold, 
the people with one voice cried Abaan, Abaan ! 
and the whole ceremony is compared to that 
which takes place in Flanders on Twelfth-night. 
The English obtained here a considerable sup- 
ply of gold, and soon after began their return. 
In passing the Castle, they saw their Portuguese 
enemies lying at anchor, but no movement took 
place on either side. Soon after, several tall sails 
came in sight, proving to be a new fleet arrived 
from Portugal, which immediately gave chace to 
them. They effected a safe retreat, however, and 
one of the enemy getting a-head of the rest, 
Towrson felt disposed to face her ; but the other 
ship was so far to leeward, and shewed so little 
inclination to second this movement, that he 
found it prudent to desist. 
In the rest of the voyage homeward nothing 
occurred, till near St Michael they came in sight 
of a French vessel of 90 tons, which seeing their 
weak and shattered condition, resolved to take ad- 
vantage of it in order to plunder them. As soon, 
however, as this intention became manifest, they 
** sent some of their stuffe so thick, that it made 
" the upper work of their ship flee about their 
" ears." The Frenchman, on receiving this salu- 
tation, began presently to pack up his sails and 
" get away," which did not prevent Towrson 
from giving a few more shots by way of farewell. 
