Drake pressed
sail to outstrip the land messenger, and glided into Callao, the port
of Lima, before the thirty ships lying dismantled had the slightest
inkling of his presence.
Viceroy Don Francisco de Toledo of Lima thought the overland coureur
mad. A pirate heretic in the South Seas! Preposterous! Some Spanish
rascal had turned pirate; so the governor gathered up two thousand
soldiers to march with all speed for Callao, with hot wrath and swift
punishment for the culprit. Drake had already sacked Callao, but he
had missed the treasure ship. She had just left for Panama. The
_Golden Hind_ was lying outside the port becalmed {156} when Don Toledo
came pouring his two thousand soldiers down to the wharves. The
Spaniards dashed to embark on the rifled ships with a wild halloo! He
was becalmed, the blackguard pirate,--whoever he was,--they would tow
out! Divine Providence had surely given him into their hands; but just
as they began rowing might and main, a fresh wind ruffled the water.
The _Golden Hind_ spread her wings to the wind and was off like a bird!
Drake knew no ship afloat could outsail his swift little craft; and the
Spaniards had embarked in such haste, they had come without provisions.
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