was altogether an
honorable one.

The result justified their expectations. The voyage, although long,
passed without incident. The Maria Pia experienced fine weather
round the Cape and, catching the trade winds, made her course
northward, and arrived off the mouth of the Tagus without accident
or adventure of any kind.

Sailing up the river, she fired a salute with her guns, which was
answered by those of the fort at the entrance. The news had been
signaled to the capital of the arrival of a ship from the Indies,
and officials boarded her, as soon as she cast anchor. The captain
at once went on shore, and reported to the minister of the Indies
the news which he had brought from Goa, and gave an account of his
voyage. He delivered a letter from the viceroy, stating that he had
given a passage to four English gentlemen, who had formed part of
Captain Drake's equipage, and who had rendered very great services
in defeating an attack upon the island of Tidore by the people of
Ternate, of which matters, the viceroy added, the gentlemen would
themselves give a full account.

The minister at once sent on board an official, to request the
young men to land; and upon their so doing, he received them with
great courtesy, and gave a grand banquet the next day, at which the
British minister was present.

The lads were delighted, upon landing, to receive the news that the
Golden Hind had arrived safely in England four months before, and
that all Europe was ringing with the great feat which she had
accomplished. The lads found that they were received, by the
distinguished company which met them at the table of the minister,
with much honor and respect, and this was heightened upon their
giving a detailed account of the adventures which had befallen them
since leaving England. The British minister offered them a passage
to England in one of the Queen's ships; and having provided them
amply with money, they were enabled to make a good appearance, and
to enter with zest into the round of festivities of which they were
made the objects during their stay. They were presented to the
king, who received them most graciously, and presented each with a
sword of honor.

Three weeks later they sailed up the Thames, and upon landing in
London at once inquired for the residence of Captain Drake. This
they had no difficulty in discovering, as he was the hero of the
hour.

It was with great pleasure that they were received by the
commander