s were left on the beach
under a guard, while two parties, headed by Frobisher and Drake
respectively, armed themselves from the stock of weapons brought ashore,
and went off in different directions, in search, first, of a water
supply, and secondly, of a spot in its immediate neighbourhood where
they might construct some sort of a defence to protect themselves from
any attack until rescued.

That there was urgent need for such a structure was very soon
demonstrated, for scarcely had Frobisher and his party penetrated a
quarter of a mile into the jungle, when they were saluted by a shower of
spears and arrows that stretched no less than thirteen of their number
dead on the ground, and wounded several others. Frobisher immediately
threw his men roughly into a square formation, and fired a volley into
the surrounding bush, in the midst of which naked brown forms could be
seen flitting hither and thither; and by the volume of shrieks, groans,
and cries that arose immediately after the discharge, it seemed that he
had taught the savage natives a sharp and wholesome lesson. At any
rate, they retreated in confusion; and soon afterward Frobisher was
fortunate enough to discover a spot that would serve admirably as a site
for a sort of blockhouse or fort. There was a spring of good water
sufficient in quantity to supply the needs of his whole force, an open
space of ground on which the structure could be built, and an abundance
of small timber that could easily be worked up into palisading with the
assistance of the tools from the carpenter's chest--one of the first
things that Frobisher had thought of sending ashore, after the arms and
ammunition.

The party was therefore divided, one half remaining to defend the chosen
site, if necessary, while the other half was dispatched to inform Drake
of their success, and to bring up the beach party with the provisions
and water-casks, arms, and boxes of cartridge. The boats, Frobisher
ordered, were to be hauled as far up the beach as possible, together
with the raft, and all of them were to be well secured. It was not
considered very likely that the savages would attempt to seize the
boats, for they would not know how to handle them; but if they did,
Frobisher was determined that the task should be made as difficult for
them as possible. That they might break them up for the sake of the
nails was a contingency that would have to be faced, as he dared not
leave a small guard to