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SECT. XLVIII.
THwart of Ariquipa, the shippe we brought with vs from Balparizo, being very leake, and my Compa∣nie satisfied, that their hope to find any thing of worth in her, was vaine, having searched her from post to stemme, condiscended to fire her, and the rather, to keepe our Company together; which could not well suffer any devision, more then of meere necessity: so by generall accord we eased our selues of her, and continued our course alongst the coast, till we came thwart, of the Bay of Pisco; which lyeth within 15. Degrees and 15. minuts.
Presently after wee were cleare of Cape Sangalean, and his Ilands, wee ranged this Bay with our Boate and Pinnace. It hath 2. small Ilands in it, but without fruite, and being becalmed, we ancho∣red two dayes thwart of Chilec.
By Sea and by Land, those of Clyly had given advise to Don Gar∣cia Hurtado de Mend••ca, Marquis of Cavete, Vice-Roy of Peru, re∣sident in Lima, of our being on the Coast. Hee presently with all possible diligence, put out sixe shippes in warlike order, with well neere two thousand men, and dispatched them to seeke vs, and to fight with vs, vnder the conduct of Don Beltrian de Castro Y delaluca, his wiues brother; who departing out of the Port of Callao, tur∣ned to wind-ward, in sight over the shore, from whence they had dayly intelligence, where wee had beene discovered. And the next day after our departure out of Chilca, about the middle of May, at breake of day, wee had sight each of other, thwart of Cavete, wee being to wind-wards of the Spanish Armado, some two leagues, and all with little, or no winde. Our Pinnace or prise being fur∣nished with Oares came vnto vs, out of which we thought to haue taken our men, and so to leaue her; but being able to come vn∣to vs at all times, it was held for better, to keepe her till necessity forced vs to leaue her: and so it was determined; that if we came to likelihood of boording, shee should lay our Boate aboord, and enter all her men, and from thence to enter our shippe, and so to forsake her▪ Although by the event in that occasion, this proved good, notwithstanding I hold it to bee reproved, where the Ene∣mie is farre superior in multitude and force, and able to come and bourd, if hee list: and that the surest course, is to fortifie the principall, the best that may bee, and to cut-of all impediments,