King of
Ternate, or any other potentate, he would have stopped and done so;
and would have given his armed assistance to the king. But his
object was simply to return, as quickly as possible. Had there been
any alliance made, we should naturally have made for Ternate,
instead of this island. But as we have no relations with the king,
and seek only means of returning to Europe, we preferred, of
course, to come here, where we knew that we should find Christians;
and, we hoped, friends."

There was palpable truth in what Ned said; and the governor,
unbending, expressed his readiness to receive and help them. He
then asked a few more questions about the manner in which they had
become separated from their friends; and seeing no advantage in
concealing the truth, and thinking perhaps that it would be well,
if an opportunity should offer, that the governor should send a
vessel to search among the islands near where the wreck took place,
and see if any of the crew had sought refuge there, they told him
frankly the circumstances under which they had left the Golden
Hind.

"It would be sad, indeed," said the Portuguese, "if so grand an
expedition, under so noble a commander, should have been wrecked
after accomplishing such a work. We in these parts are not friendly
to any European meddling. His Holiness the pope granted us all
discoveries on this side of the Cape, and we would fain trade in
peace and quiet, without interference. But we can admire the great
deeds and enterprise of your countrymen; and indeed," he said
smiling--for the Portuguese are, as a rule, a very small race--and
looking at the bulk of the four young men, which was, indeed,
almost gigantic by the side of himself and his soldiers, "I am
scarcely surprised, now I see you, at the almost legendary deeds
which I hear that your countrymen have performed on the Spanish
main.

"But now, follow me to my castle, and I will there provide you with
proper appliances. What position did you hold in the ship?"

"We are gentlemen of Devonshire," Ned said, "and bore a share in
the enterprise, sailing as gentlemen adventurers under Captain
Drake. I myself held the rank of third officer in the ship."

"Then, senors," the Portuguese said, bowing, "I am happy to place
myself and my house at your disposal. It may be that you will be
able to render me services which will far more than repay any
slight inconvenience or trouble to which I may be put, for we hear
that the Ki