"Others failed of their promises contracted, and the greater number were dispersed, leaving the Generall with few of his assured friends, with whom he adventured to sea; where having tasted of no lesse misfortune, he was shortly driven to retire home with the losse of a tall ship, and (more to his grief) of a valiant gentleman, Miles Morgan." It will be observed that Raleigh's name is not mentioned, the "Generall" being Gilbert. It appears, however, to be generally assumed by his biographers that he did accompany this expedition in person. It may, at all events, be predicated with tolerable certainty, that Raleigh was not amongst those who deserted Sir Humphrey. Tytler adds the following particulars, in his _Life of Raleigh_ (Edinburgh, 1833), p. 27., on the authority of Oldys's _Life of Raleigh_, pp. 28, 29.: "On its homeward passage the small squadron of Gilbert was dispersed and disabled by a Spanish fleet, and many of the company were slain; but, perhaps owing to the disastrous issue of the fight, it has been slightly noticed by the English historians." Schomburgk adds, in the Introduction to his reprint of Raleigh's _Guiana_, published for the Hakluyt Society in 1848, also on the authority of Oldys, that during the engagement "Raleigh was exposed to great danger." We may therefore assume that he did sail with Gilbert on this occasion. There is no appearance, however, of the expedition having reached America at all; and most certainly Virginia was not then visited. The next voyage undertaken by Gilbert was in 1583. Raleigh took a great interest in this expedition, and fitted out a barque of two hundred tons, which bore his name; and although the "most puissant" vessel in the fleet, it only ranked as "Vice-admirall." The "Delight, _alias_ the George, of burthen 120 tunnes, was Admirall, in which went the Generall." They "began their voyage upon Tuesday, the eleventh day of June, in the yere of our Lord 1583;" but "about midnight" of the 13th June, "the Vice-admirall forsooke us, notwithstanding that we had the winde east, faire, and good. But it was after credibly reported that they were infected with a contagious sickness, and arrived greatly distressed at Plimmouth.... Sure I am no cost was spared by their owner, Master Raleigh, in setting them forth." So writes worthy Master Hayes, who commanded the Golden Hinde, the "Rear-admirall" of the expedition. It may be easily believed that Raleigh was not on board of the vessel which belonged to him. Sir H. Gilbert, who was ignorant of the cause of desertion, wrote thus to Sir George Peckham, after his arrival in Newfoundland:--"On the 13th the bark Raleigh ran from me, in fair and clear weather, having a large wind. I pray you solicit my brother Raleigh to make them an example to all knaves." The subsequent history of this disastrous expedition need not be dwelt upon. Gilbert reached Newfoundland, but was lost in returning on board the Squirrel of ten tons!