[Illustration: THE HARBOR OF VALPARAISO.]

THE HARBOR OF VALPARAISO.

Furious at this unprovoked assault, the crew wished to attack the hostile
natives, but Drake refused to do so.

"No doubt the poor fellows take us for Spaniards," he said; "and we cannot
blame them for attacking any man from Spain."

Some days later a native fisherman was captured and brought on board the
ship. He was in a terrible fright, but was reassured when he learned that
his captors were not Spaniards, but belonged to a nation whose people did
not love Spain. He was highly pleased with a chopping-knife and a piece of
linen cloth that were given him, and was sent ashore, promising to induce
his people to sell some provisions to the ship's crew. He kept his word,
and a good supply of fowls and eggs and a fat hog were obtained.

With the boat came off an Indian chief, glad to see any white men who
hated the Spaniards as deeply as he did himself. He was well received and
served to the best the ship could afford. Then he said to his entertainer
in Spanish, a language he spoke fairly well,--

"If you are at war with the Spaniards, I will be glad to go with you, and
think I can be of much use to you. The city of Valparaiso lies not far
south of here, and in its harbor is a large galleon, nearly ready to sail
with a rich treasure. We should all like much to have you capture that
vessel."

This was good news to Drake. The next day the "Golden Hind" turned its
prow down the coast under full sail, with the friendly native on board.
When Valparaiso was reached, Drake saw to his delight that his dusky pilot
had told the truth. There lay a great galleon, flying a Spanish flag. Not
dreaming of an enemy in those waters, the Spaniards were unsuspicious
until the "Golden Hind" had been laid alongside and its armed crew were
clambering over the bulwarks. The rich prize was captured almost without a
blow.

The crew secured, Drake searched for the expected treasure, and to his joy
found that she was laden with over one hundred and twenty thousand dollars
in gold coin, and with other costly goods, including about two thousand
jars of Chili wine. This rich plunder was transferred to the hold of the
"Golden Hind," and the Spanish ship left to her disconsolate captain and
crew.

After celebrating this victory with a gleeful feast, in which the rich
viands obtained were washed down freely with the captured wine, an