arding an expected invasion of his
territory by the Portuguese.

Drake, on hearing what had occurred, landed a party of men and marched
some distance into the interior, but the Moors kept out of his way, so
that he was compelled to return without gaining information; and,
supposing that Fry was lost, he ordered the squadron to put to sea. Fry
meanwhile was kindly treated by the King of Fez, who, finding that no
information could be got from him, sent him back to the coast, where, to
his grief, he found that the fleet had sailed. He, however, before long
got home in an English merchant vessel.

Running down the African coast, they took three Spanish fishing-boats
called caunters, and shortly afterwards two caravels, when at length
they caught sight of the Southern Cross. Passing Cape Barbas, they
sighted a Spanish ship at anchor. She was captured with only two people
on board, the rest having fled on shore. In a harbour, three leagues
within the cape, the ships brought up, and there remained several days,
obtaining fresh water and provisions, as well as all sorts of fish in
abundance.

The people here appeared to be suffering from famine, and a wretched
woman, with a babe in her arms, was brought down to the beach to be sold
as a slave; but Drake indignantly refused to purchase her, saying that
he did not trade in human beings. Other people brought leather bags to
buy water. Drake gave them water, but declined receiving payment in
return. Having refitted the ships and discharged all the Spanish
prizes, except one caunter, in exchange for which the _Christopher_ was
given to the owner, and one caravel, the squadron proceeded to the Cape
de Verde Islands, and put into the harbour of Saint Mary's. Here, when
the inhabitants, who were subjects of the King of Portugal, saw them
coming on shore, they fled to the mountains, and no provisions or fresh
water could be purchased.

A party, under Captain Winter and Mr Thomas Doughty, was sent on shore
to try and obtain what was required. They saw large herds of goats;
wild hens, and salt which had been gathered in great quantities from the
rocks. The country was fertile, covered with trees and vines, bearing
delicious grapes, with which the seamen refreshed themselves. There
were many other fruit-trees, some bearing plantains, a pleasant and
wholesome fruit, others figs, with ripe fruit on them. Sailing from
Saint Mary's on the 30th of January, they the next day pas