Drake to speak. He accordingly, craving her Majesty's
sanction, and pointing out its importance, and the gold and advantage
which her kingdom might derive from its prosperous issue, unfolded his
design. His ambition was, he said, to conduct a fleet of stout ships,
well armed, through the straits which the Portuguese Magalhaens had
discovered more than half a century before, into that Pacific Ocean
which he had navigated from east to west, and on which John Oxenham's
bark had floated, and he himself had besought Almighty God that he too
might sail in an English ship. He spoke not at the time of attacking
the Spaniards wherever he should meet them, and depriving them of the
wealth they had procured by the death of the thousands of helpless
Indians they had enslaved, knowing that her Majesty, since she was at
peace with Spain, could not openly approve of such a proceeding.

What more was said need not be repeated; but as he took his parting
farewell of the Queen, her Majesty presented him with a sword, saying,
"We do account that he which striketh at thee, Drake, striketh at us."

With this verbal warrant, the brave Captain lost no time in making
energetic preparations for his projected voyage. He found no lack of
followers eager to share his fortunes; but, according to the best of his
judgment, he chose men of experience and tried bravery, on whom he could
depend. He gave out that the squadron was intended for a trading voyage
to Alexandria, though neither his officers nor the ever-watchful
Spaniards were deceived by those pretexts.

Five ships were procured, and, being rapidly fitted out, were supplied
with all necessary stores and munitions. Drake himself superintended
everything, down to the minutest point, so that nothing required might
be wanting. It was to this, as well as to the interest he took in his
men, and to his superior seamanship and enterprise, that much of his
success was owing.

His squadron consisted of five vessels,--the _Pelican_, of a hundred
tons burden, in which he himself sailed; the second being the
_Elizabeth_, vice-admiral, burden eighty tons, Captain John Winter; the
third the _Marigold_, a bark of thirty tons, Captain John Thomas; the
fourth the _Swan_, a fly-boat of fifty tons, Captain John Chester; the
fifth the _Christopher_, a pinnace of fifteen tons, Captain Thomas Moon.
These ships were manned with a hundred and sixty-four able seamen,
officers, and others, and among other th