When the Dutch fleet made its appearance, she was to return
to Lima with the news, and a Spanish force would be detached against it.
They further learnt that some of the supposed casks of flour contained
2,000 gold doubloons each, others bars of silver; this precaution having
been taken in case of capture. That the vessel had now sailed for Lima
there was no doubt. The reason why the Spaniards were so anxious not to
leave the negro on board of the Dort, was, that they knew that he would
disclose what he now had done. As for the pilot, he was a man whom the
Spaniards knew they could trust, and for that reason they had better be
careful of him, or he would lead the Dort into some difficulty.

Philip now repented that he had ransomed the vessel, as he would, in all
probability, have to meet and cope with a superior force, before he
could make his way clear out of these seas; but there was no help for
it. He consulted with Krantz, and it was agreed that they should send
for the ship's company and make them acquainted with these facts;
arguing that a knowledge of the valuable capture which they had made,
would induce the men to fight well, and stimulate them with the hopes of
further success. The ship's company heard the intelligence with
delight, professed themselves ready to meet double their force, and then
by the directions of Philip, the casks were brought up on the
quarter-deck, opened, and the bullion taken out. The whole, when
collected, amounted to about half a million of dollars, as near as they
could estimate it, and a distribution of the coined money was made from
the capstan the very next day; the bars of metal being reserved until
they could be sold, and their value ascertained.

For six weeks Philip worked his vessel up the coast, without falling in
with any vessel under sail. Notice had been given by the advice-boat,
as it appeared, and every craft large and small, was at anchor under the
batteries. They had nearly run up the whole coast, and Philip had
determined that the next day he would stretch across to Batavia, when a
ship was seen in-shore under a press of sail, running towards Lima.
Chase was immediately given, but the water shoaled, and the pilot was
asked if they could stand on. He replied in the affirmative, stating
that they were now in the shallowest water, and that it was deeper
within. The leadsman was ordered into the chains, but at the first
heave, the lead-line broke; another was