The pinnaces now returned to the Isle of _Pinos_, where Drake parted company with Captain Rowse. He next despatched his brother to examine the river _Chagre_, and on his return he departed for _Cartagena_, where he took two Spanish ships. His next enterprise was against a great ship of Seville, which he obtained possession of by fighting. The town being alarmed, Drake determined to burn one of his ships, in order that he might have the means of manning his pinnaces. He then proceeded to the Sound of _Darien_, where they cleared a space of ground to build houses. Drake then went with his brother, with two pinnaces, to the _Rio Grande_, passing out of sight of _Cartagena_, between which place and _Tolon_ they took six frigates laden with provisions. Three days later they arrived at _Pinos_. On the third of November Drake fell in with a Spanish ship, which he captured. But now Drake’s company were visited by heavy sickness, which was attributed to the cold which the men suffered from whilst in the pinnaces. On returning to the ships on the 27th of November, they learned of the death of John Drake and of Richard Allen, who were slain whilst attempting to board a frigate. On the 3rd of January six of the company fell sick and died within two or three days, whilst as many as thirty were stricken down with fever. Joseph Drake, another of the captain’s brothers, died, and likewise the surgeon. Drake now determined to proceed by land to _Panamá_, having by the 3rd of February lost twenty-eight of his men. He took with him forty-eight, eighteen being English and the rest _Symerons_, and in a few days reached _Venta Cruz_. The chief of these people dwelt sixteen leagues south-east of _Panamá_, and Drake now thought that he might with advantage waylay a party carrying treasure across the isthmus. But, owing to the awkwardness of one of his people, he and they were discovered. He nevertheless attacked the party, and pursued them as far as _Venta Cruz_. On his journey thither Drake was informed of a certain tree, from the top of which he might discern a branch of the Atlantic Ocean on the one hand and of the Pacific on the other. One of the _Symerons_ desired him to ascend “that goodlie and great high tree,” in the trunk of which notches were cut in order to facilitate the ascent. From the top of this tree, the English mariner, viewing the distant Pacific, solemnly besought God to give him life and leave once to sail an English ship in those seas. Returning to _Venta Cruz_, which he took and rifled, he intercepted a convoy of fifty mules, bearing a large quantity of silver, of which he appropriated what he could carry. With some difficulty he rejoined his pinnaces, when he resolved to return to _England_. He reached Plymouth on Sunday the 9th of August 1573, whilst divine service was being conducted. The church was forthwith deserted, all rushing out to welcome the gallant captain, who had been absent one year and two months.