r hands in this way, but after
this they hindered no more vessels on their way from Europe. They
had ample stores and, indeed, far more than enough to supply them
with every luxury; for on board the Pacha the richest wines, the
most delicate conserves, the richest garments of all kinds were
already in such abundance as to become common to them all. Down to
the common sailor, all feasted on the best, and drank wines that an
emperor might have approved. Captain Drake, in this way, gave his
men when on shore much license; insisting, however, that they
should abstain from drunkenness. For, as he said, not only would
they be at the mercy of any small body of the enemy which might
find them, but drunkenness breeds quarrels and disputes, and as
between comrades would be fatal, indeed. Thus, although enough of
good liquor was given to each man to make him merry, none were
allowed to drink beyond this point.

The reason why the ships coming from Europe were allowed to pass,
unmolested, was that Drake wished not that, each day, some fresh
tale of capture should be brought to Panama by the crews set free
in the boats; for it was certain that the tale so told would, at
last, stir up such fear and indignation at the ravages committed by
so small a body, that the governors of the Spanish towns would
combine their forces, and would march against them with a veritable
army. While only the ships starting from Darien were overhauled,
and lightened of their contents, the tale was not brought back to
Darien; for the crews were allowed to sail on with their ships to
Europe, as Drake had already more vessels than he knew what to do
with; and as for prisoners, they were, to him, quite useless.

Captain John did, indeed, at one time propose to him that he should
take out of each ship all the principal men, so as to hold them as
hostages, in case of any misfortune happening to the English; but
the admiral said to him, that so great was the enmity and fear of
them, that did they fall into the hands of the Spaniards, these
would not exchange them and let them go, even if as many kings were
set free in return.

In all, five vessels were seized and plundered while lying at
Darien. All was not, however, going well; for while they lay there,
a terrible sickness broke out among them. Whether this was from the
change of life, or from any noxious thing which they ate, or merely
from the heat, none could say; but, very shortly, the illness made
grea