But indeed the Spanish King had provided this Fleet upon this counsel: He received intelligence that Sir WALTER RALEGH was to put out strong for the West India. To impeach him, and to ranconter [_encounter_] his force; he appointed this Fleet: although, looking for the arrival of his East Indian Carracks, he first ordained those ships to waft [_convoy_] them from the Azores. But persuading himself that if the Fleet of Sir WALTER RALEGH did go for the West India, then the Islands should have none to infest them but small Men of War; which the Carracks of themselves would be well able to match: his order was to Don ALONSO DE BAÇAN, brother to the Marquis of SANTA CRUZ, and General of his Armada, to pursue Sir WALTER's Fleet, and to confront him; what course soever he held. [Sidenote: Sir JOHN BURROUGH in great danger of the Spanish Fleet.] And that this was true, our men in short time by proof understood. For Sir JOHN BURROUGH (not long after the taking of his last prize, the Fly-boat), as he sailed back again towards the rest of his company, discovered the Spanish Fleet to seaward of him: which, having likewise spied him betwixt them and the shore, made full account to bring him safe into [a] Spanish harbour; and therefore spread themselves in such sort before him, that indeed his danger was very great. For both the liberty of the sea was brought into a narrow straight [_distance_]; and the shore, being enemy [_hostile_] could give him no comfort of relief. So that, trusting to GOD's help only and his good sail [_sailing_], he thrust out from among them, in spite of all their force; and, to the notable illusion of all their cunning, which they shewed to the uttermost in laying the way for his apprehension. * * * * * [Sidenote: The Isle of St. Michael.] But now Sir JOHN BURROUGH, having happily escaped their clutches; finding the coast guarded by this Fleet; and knowing it was but folly to expect a meeting there with Sir MARTIN FROBISHER (who understanding of this Armada, as well as himself, would be sure not to come that way), began to shape his course to the Azores, according to Sir WALTER RALEGH's direction: and came in sight of St. Michael; running so near by Villa Franca, that he might easily discern the ships lying there at anchor. [Sidenote: Divers small ships taken.] Divers small Caravels both here and between St George's [Island] and the Pike [_Pico_], in his course towards Flores, he intercepted: of which no great intelligence for his affairs could be understood. [Sidenote: Santa Cruz, a village in the Isle of Flores.] Arriving before Flores, upon Thursday the 21st of June, towards evening, [in the _Roebuck_], accompanied only by Captain CAUFIELD and the Master of his ship; the rest not being yet arrived: he made towards the shore with his boat: finding all the people of Santa Cruz, a village of that island, in arms; fearing their landing, and ready marshalled to defend their town from spoil.