1617] ILLNESS IN THE FLEET. 223 her "two ounces of ambergris, an ounce of extract of amber, a great glass of rose-water, a very excellent picture of Mary Magdalene, and a cut-work ruff." This produced more presents from the lady; hens and more fruit. Meanwhile the vessels were taking in water, which was done, says Ralegh, "without any offence given or received to the value of a farthing." The Governor was so satisfied with their behaviour that he sent Ralegh a letter for Sarmiento, stating how nobly they had behaved. Misfortunes were already crowding upon Ralegh. At Lancerota he had been deserted by one of his ships, under the command of Captain Bailey, who returned to England. Sickness was rife amongst his men; and his diary contains little but the melancholy record of one death after another. They were overtaken by storms, and beaten about amongst the Cape Verd Islands; one ship was lost, and others were damaged. One after another the men were struck down, and it seemed as if the best and ablest were fated to die. At last Ralegh himself fell ill. He caught a severe cold from being suddenly called from his bed by a violent storm. For a time his life seemed in danger; and when at last Cape Wiapoco (now Cape Orange) was sighted, he was unable to rise. from his bed to look at the welcome land. The ships coasted along for three days, and on the 14th November Ralegh had himself carried on shore at Caiana (now the river Cayenne). He pined for fresh air, and change from his uncomfortable sickbed on board the ship, which was in a frightful state from the sickness and death of so many men. Ralegh's first thought on nearing land was to inquire for his former Indian servants. These men had looked eagerly for his return, and had boarded the ships which had come from England under Keymis, Leigh, and Harcourt, in anxious hope of finding him. One of them, Harry by name, had been with him in England; and after living two years in the Tower with him, had gone back to his own country. He now sent provisions beforehand by his brother to announce his coming. He had forgotten most of his English, but not his love for his old master. He brought with him bread, and plenty of fresh meat and fruit, which Ralegh did not at first dare to eat, on account of his state of health. But he began by degrees to gather a little strength. Though it was thirteen years since he had been amongst them, the Indians had cherished his remembrance as that of the great caçique who had done no harm, but only brought them hope of happy days, and freedom from the hated Spaniards. From Caiana Ralegh wrote to his wife: "Sweetheart, I can yet write unto you with but a weak hand; for I have suffered the most violent calenture for fifteen days that ever man did and lived; but God, that gave me a strong heart, hath also now strengthened it in the hell-fire of heat." He 1617] EXPEDITION UP THE ORINOCO. 225 went on to tell of the sickness and bad weather which had assailed them. He spoke gratefully of the presents of the governor's wife, saying that without them he could not have lived. He had preserved the fruit in fresh sand, and had some of it still, to his great refreshing. There were a few joyful pieces of news in the letter for the wife and mother. "Your son," wrote Ralegh, "had never so good health, having no distemper in all the heat under the line." And again, "To tell you that I might be King of the Indians were a vanity; but my name hath still lived among them. Here they feed me with fresh meat, and all that the country yields; all offer to obey me." This letter was taken home by one Captain Alley, who was obliged to return for his health. In the safe harbour formed by the mouth of the river Caiana they refreshed themselves, cleaned and repaired their ships, took in water, and set up their barges. On the 4th of December they again set sail, and had some difficulty in getting over the bar at the mouth of the river. It had now become clear that Ralegh's state of health made it impossible for him to lead in person the expedition up the Orinoco in search of the mines. "Besides this impossibility," says Ralegh, in excuse of his not having gone, "neither would my son nor the rest of the captains and gentlemen have adventured themselves up the river (having but one month's victuals, and being thrust together a hundred of them in a small fly-boat), had I ૨ not assured them that I would stay for them at Trinedado, except I were sunk in the sea or set on fire by the Spanish galleons; for that they would have adventured themselves upon any other man's word or resolution, it were ridiculous to believe." Both for the sake of his own health and for the safety of the explorers, it was necessary that Ralegh should stay with the chief body of the fleet. No one else could be depended upon with perfect security to await their return, whatever dangers might beset him. Next came the difficult question, to whom the command of the exploring party was to be given. The only person in any way fitted to take it was Captain Keymis. He was a brave and faithful man, and knew the country well. But more was wanted for such a difficult post; and Keymis, though a faithful servant, was not an intelligent commander. He was not able under difficult circumstances to choose the right course, and abide by it; he was not able to look before, and see the result of his actions. Still there was no one better, and so the general command of the expedition was given to him, while the land forces were put under George Ralegh, a nephew of Sir Walter's, under whom young Walter commanded a company. On the 15th December Keymis, with the five smaller vessels of the fleet, parted from Sir Walter at the Triangle Isles. Ralegh gave him minute instructions as to the course he was to pursue. It 1617] EXPEDITION UP THE ORINOCO. 227 was supposed that there was a Spanish town near the mine. The explorers were to avoid this, and encamp between the town and the mine. They were then to examine the nature of the mine. If it proved very rich, and the Spaniards began to attack them, they were to drive back the Spaniards. Ralegh had no fear of breaking the peace, if he were sure of carrying home great riches. But if the mine did not prove very rich, they were to content themselves with carrying off one or two basketsful, enough to satisfy James I. that the mine really existed. On the other hand, if, as seemed possible, a Spanish force had been sent, in obedience to warnings from Madrid, to oppose their approach to the mine, Keymis was to be careful how he landed; "for," said Ralegh bitterly, "I know (a few gentlemen excepted) what a scum of men you have, and I would not for all the world receive a blow from the Spaniards to the dishonour of our nation." He concluded by promising that they would find him, on their return, at Puncto Gallo, dead or alive. "If you find not my ships there," he added, "you shall find their ashes; for I will fire with the galleons, if it come to extremity; but run away I will never." So they parted. Better had it been for them if they had never met again, if their worst fears had been realized, if of Ralegh and his ships nothing indeed had been left but the ashes, burnt after a hopeless and desperate struggle with Spanish galleons. But it was not so to be. There was |