unsettled, five Portuguese ships, a few days later, were driven in for shelter. Ascertaining the insecurity of their position, they attempted to escape to sea again, but Pié de Pálo dashed after them and seized two out of the five, which he brought back as prizes.—Froude, vol. viii. pp. 450, 451. [123] Flanders MSS., Rolls House. [124] Flanders MSS., Rolls House. [125] Sir Peter Carew to the Council, April 17, 1565, MSS. Domestic, Eliz., vol. xxxvi. [126] Council Register, August 1565. [127] Hakluyt, vol. iii. p. 594; first voyage of Mr. John Hawkins. Macpherson thinks that this expedition was the first English slaving cruise (ii. p. 135). [128] Da Silva to Philip, Nov. 5, 1563, MS. Simancas. [129] So called from the port whence she had been purchased by Queen Elizabeth.—Macpherson, ii. 140. [130] Froude, vol. viii. p. 474. [131] These expeditions usually consisted of from two to four vessels, ranging from sixty-five to two hundred and fifty tons register each; and one or two pinnaces for the purpose of navigating shallow waters, ascending rivers and creeks, landing and shipping cargo, and so forth. They were, as a rule, fitted out and armed, ostensibly for protection, by a number of adventurers, who, having associated themselves together for the purpose, either chartered the requisite number of vessels, or found the capital to purchase and equip them for sea, the capital being divided into shares. Of these the person in charge of the expedition and the masters of the vessels generally held a considerable number. In a few instances, especially when the expedition consisted of only one vessel and a pinnace, the captain himself was the sole owner of ship and cargo. The rendezvous of these vessels after sailing from England was either Madeira or the Cape Verde Islands, whence they sailed wherever profit or plunder guided their course. Their profits in some instances were enormous. [132] Froude, Da Silva to Elizabeth, October 6, 1567, Spanish MSS., Rolls House. [133] Sir John Hawkins to Elizabeth, Sept. 15, 1567, Domestic MSS., Rolls House. [134] The sum has been estimated at no less than one million of pounds sterling. [135] Froude’s ‘History of England,’ vol. ix. p. 360. [136] Froude, vol. ix. p. 370, _et seq._; and Macpherson, ii. p. 146. [137] Froude, vol. ix. p. 430. [138] Domestic MSS., 1572. CHAPTER IV.