Raleigh did not pretend that he had himself seen the mine which he had
engaged so many people to go in quest of: it was Keymis, he said, who
had formerly discovered it, and had brought him that lump of ore, which
promised such immense treasures. Yet Keymis, who owned that he was
within two hours' march of the place, refused, on the most absurd
pretences, to take any effectual step towards finding it; and he
returned immediately to Raleigh, with the melancholy news of his son's
death, and the ill success of the enterprise. Sensible to reproach, and
dreading punishment for his behavior, Keymis, in despair, retired into
his cabin, and put an end to his own life.

The other adventurers now concluded, that they were deceived by Raleigh;
that he never had known of any such mine as he pretended to go in search
of; that his intention had ever been to plunder St. Thomas; and having
encouraged his company by the spoils of that place, to have thence
proceeded to the invasion of the other Spanish settlements; that he
expected to repair his ruined fortunes by such daring enterprises; and
that he trusted to the money he should acquire, for making his peace
with England; or, if that view failed him, that he purposed to retire
into some other country, where his riches would secure his retreat.

The small acquisitions gained by the sack of St. Thomas discouraged
Raleigh's companions from entering into these views; though there were
many circumstances in the treaty and late transactions between the
nations, which might invite them to engage in such a piratical war
against the Spaniards.

When England made peace with Spain, the example of Henry IV. was
imitated, who, at the treaty of Vervins, finding a difficulty in
adjusting all questions with regard to the Indian trade, had agreed to
pass over that article in total silence.

The Spaniards, having all along published severe edicts against the this
silence in their own favor, and considered it as a tacit acquiescence of
England in the established laws of Spain. The English, on the contrary,
pretended that, as they had never been excluded by any treaty from
commerce with any part of the king of Spain's dominions, it was still as
lawful for them to trade with his settlements in either Indies, as
with his European territories. In consequence of this ambiguity, many
adventurers from England sailed to the Spanish Indies, and met with
severe punishment when caught; as they, on the other