Unsuccessful in his plans, the English general resolved to return to Europe. He left Major Fell as military commander, and Drake as governor, with Smith and Brock as council. Breton was left in charge of Cavite. When on the point of embarking, he gave orders for two frigates to be despatched in search of the treasure on board of the Philipino, and that the Oidor Villa Costa, and the royal Fiscal, should embark in them, in order that their influence might be exerted in attaining the object; but on the intimation being conveyed to them they both declined it, and were in consequence imprisoned. At the request of the Archbishop, Draper afterwards gave them their liberty, and named in their room two merchants and two regidores. The frigates sailed, but were very long in making the island of Capul, where an English Jesuit was the residing priest. The currents and foul winds contributed much to retard the expedition, but seeing them determined to prosecute their voyage, and insisting that a pilot should be given them for that purpose, threatening they would raise all the Indians in case of refusal, a Meztizo, in whom the Spaniards could confide, was sent for that purpose, but he was enjoined to detain the frigates in the harbour mouth as long as possible. So well did the Meztizo fulfil the charge given to him by the Jesuit father, that they had time to save the treasure in the provinces of Albay and Camarines, the galleys which conveyed it passing in view of the enemy's frigates, which, however, soon lost sight of them in a squall. The English commander, suspecting the plate to be placed out of his reach, and in safety, returned to Manila, where he was ill received by his commanding officer. CHAPTER XV. Of the Defence of the Islands by the Oidor Don Simon de Anda.