ances of the storms rather than to the mercies of the English
corsairs. These were not abroad on the high seas in the cold season,
when ocean traffic was small and tempests frequent; but in the summer
time no Spanish captain knew when one of the dreaded craft might appear
above the horizon. It is difficult to realize nowadays the terror that
Drake and fellow captains--pirates all--had inspired in the breasts of
Spanish seamen.

The galleon had not her full complement of crew, for there were some
who had come out who were not as favourably disposed towards a winter
voyage as was their captain. The latter spoke to the skipper of the
coaster concerning his difficulties, and the skipper told him of the
men he had picked up at San Juan. He did not hide his suspicions that
there was more English than Spanish blood in their veins. He
acknowledged that they were splendid sailors; but, being as he believed
English deserters, he regarded them as desperate fellows, assuming a
gentleness and zealous obedience quite foreign to their nature.

It was here that Hernando stepped in and played his part. No one
doubted his nationality; and he, hearing of the shortage of good
sailors on the galleon, did his last ingenious act of kindness for his
comrades in misfortune. Over a cup of wine in the state-room of the
_Donna Philippa_ he told a story that did his heart and his wits equal
credit. He began it by confirming the skipper's suspicions that his
last batch of sailors were English to the very marrow of their bones.

"Yet I love them," he declared, "and would place my life and my
father's life in their hands without an instant's hesitation."

Then followed an account of his own shipwreck months before with some
other Spanish gentlemen. "We found," said he, "a boat, and coasted
with her seeking a harbour. We met the Englishmen, wrecked also. They
were a stronger party than we were. They joined us--worked with us for
months like brothers. We sailed seas together, fought foes, swam
rivers, climbed mountains, threaded forests, shared food, drink,
raiment, money--everything. They told us their story. Two of them, as
you may see, are not common sailors, but gentlemen of position,
favourites of their Queen, bosom friends and lovers of Drake, Raleigh,
Hawkins, Grenville, Whiddon, and all the mighty English captains. They
want to get home. Take them as they are. I'll pledge my life they'll
serve you faithfully and cheerfully,