ABSTRACT
From Cartagena I gave relation unto your Worship how I departed from the citie of Lis bone, in the pursuite of the English armie : although for the great haste the Galeons could not be so well repaired as was needfull, and with foule weather one was lost, and a Fly-boat was burnt. And having sayled many dayes in pursuite of the enemie, untill I arrived at Cartagena, and there taking the advise of Don Pedro de Acunna, Governour of the citie, and Captaine generall (for wee had great neede of water, and to repaire our shippes) we stayed in that port: whereas I had intelligence by an Indian that Francis Drake died in Nombre de Dios, for very griefe that he had lost so many Barkes and men, as was afterwards more manifestly knowen. 2 Thus having given you a relation of all that happened hitherto, now I let you understand, that I left this Port
sixteen sails returning from the direction of N ombre de Dios. At nightfall two large lanterns were seen to leeward of the port, and at midnight was heard the sound of a gun being fired. Realizing that it was the enemy and that the shot was a signal, I wanted to give chase at once, although I had not water enough for two days, for what there is in Cartagena is from wells which are quickly exhausted. But that night it was not possible because, apart from the darkness, the wind was contrary, and so continued for the next two days, so that although I made the galleys tow us to the mouth of the harbour I was not able to leave until2 March. That morning the land breeze freshened and I got away and set course for Havana. Having made all possible speed I sighted the Isla de Pinos and the inlet of Guaniguanico on the 1 rth, where I found Francis Drake with fourteen ships .••• '
1 In modern English the Spanish word suceso is best rendered in this context as 'fortune' (neither good nor bad). But Savile probably intended the English word in this sense, just as Baskerville obviously did in three different letters (documents 44, 45, 46 below).
