hagena. This was reported by
two frigates that watched him, and then the treasure ships in Porto Rico
with $4,000,000 on board sailed for Spain, and reached St. Lucas,
bringing the English prisoners, who still remain in prison, but the
examinante escaped. Two fleets, each of twenty-five ships, and 5,000
men, are said to be sent out to follow Sir Francis Drake, March 25,
1599."

In Barrow's "Life of Drake," there are further particulars given of this
unsuccessful attack on San Juan, which was under the command of Sir
Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins, the two greatest British naval
commanders then living. Barrow says:

"The fitting out and equipment of this grand expedition were not
surpassed by that of 1585 to the West Indies under Sir Francis Drake,
Vice Admiral Forbesher and Rear Admiral Knolles. Its destination, in the
first place, was intended for Porto Rico, where the queen had received
information that a vast treasure had been brought, and intended to be
sent home from thence for the use of the King of Spain in completing the
third grand armament (the second having been destroyed by Drake) which
he had in contemplation for the invasion of England. The object of the
present fleet was to intercept the treasure and thereby cut off the main
supply of his navy and army destined for that purpose.

"Their first intention, however, had been to land at Nombre de Dios and
proceed direct from thence over the Isthmus of Panama in order to seize
the treasure generally brought thither from the mines of Mexico and
Peru; but in a few days before their departure from Plymouth they
received letters sent by order of the queen informing them that advices
had been received from Spain announcing the arrival of the West Indian
or Plata fleet, but that one of them, a very valuable ship, had lost her
mast and put into the Island of Puerto Rico, and it was therefore her
majesty's recommendation that they should proceed direct to that island
to secure the ship and treasure which was on her."

The expedition left Plymouth, August 28, 1595. Before going to Porto
Rico, Drake, against the protest of Hawkins, tried to take the Canaries
and failed. The voyage was then continued.

"On the 30th of September," the historian continues, "Captain Wegnot, on
the Francis, a bark of thirty-five tons, being the sternmost of Sir John
Hawkins' division, was chased by five of the king's frigates, or zobras,
being ships of two hundred tons, which came wi