Act 4 — Scene I.—DECK OF THE PACHA.

Nombre de Dios. Moonlight. The bright Caribean sea and luminous sky. The islands with their picturesque forms and foliage. The ample bay with its rivers. The land covered with forest. The mountains in the far distance, with snow-clad summits, above the range of the highest clouds.

Drake. Land of wonder! Beauty! Richness! Abundance! which poets in their wildest flights of fancy never dreamed of.—Beyond!—The vast continent, stretching one knows not whither. Whose bowels teem with gold. The appanage of a single crown. Such is the greatness and the wealth of Philip—enough to conquer or to bribe the world wasted in his feeble hand. Our cockle-shells have sailed these summer seas without control. Spain’s giant frame asleep—incapable—or paralysed. How easy to sweep her from the sea. That looms in the future. It flits before me like distant land—now seen in sunshine—now lost in haze—a shapeless form. Still the vision never leaves me. Even in my sleep my country grapples her; always triumphant—fiercer—stronger every time. The death struggle wakes me—I see it clearly—Spain falls—and England takes her place. Here comes our canoe of observation, her low black outline scarce distinguishable from a ripple of the ocean (the boat comes alongside, John Drake and Oxenham, with an Indian, climb upon the deck) Well Brother, I trust a good report?

John Drake. The course is clear. Seize the batteries and take what you like.—There’s not an armed ship in the harbour.

Drake. I’ll give them a lesson for the one they taught me at San Juan de Ulloa. Therefore cut down, burn, destroy—save only gold, silver, jewels, and things worth carrying away. I’ll teach them to leave off their bloody work.

Oxenham. Well, General, we have done pretty fair, to put our hands in practice. For months we have sailed through these parts—sacking towns, burning houses, sinking ships, crews and all, plundering and taking prizes, without being over scrupulous as to kind or quantity. Has there been a church, within our reach, where we have left a chalice, or a crucifix, worth carrying away?

Drake. The real work is now beginning. This Nombre de Dios is the shipping port for Spain—the store house of her treasure. Gold abounds here. Men, women, children—the proud Castillian—the feeble Creole—the wild Indian, are covered with it. Who is this you have brought with you?

Oxenham. Oh! We have found a treasure worth the whole plunder of the town. This is one of the noble Symerons, who defend their country against the invader. He will tell you all, and introduce you to his countrymen, at war with the Spaniards.

Drake. Oh, excellent! (he turns to the Indian) I am glad to be acquainted with one of the oppressed children of the land. We English hate Spaniards like you, and have come here to make war upon them. What is your name?

Indian. Chiruca.—I am son of the Great Cacique who after the massacre of our people by the cruel Alonzo de Ojeda and the robber Enciso, rallied our nations against the invaders. We have heard of the brave Inglesos, and the terrible Drake. I came to seek you with an offer of friendship. Five great Caciques, with all their warriors, will join you against the foe. I will be your guide to them. You must go up the rivers of Panama—fight them in the woods, and seize the Racoes with the treasure. Our nation will assist you. I shall send Symerons by land to bring them to meet us.

Drake. The thing I most desire is to cross the Isthmus and catch a glimpse of the great ocean on the other side.

Chiruca. Nothing can be easier. We shall conduct you through fruit-laden forests, which yet a Spanish foot hath never cursed.

Drake. Good! When we shall have surprised and plundered Nombre de Dios. (The men are bustling into the boats and making ready for the attack.—Moon salutes Drake and eagerly observes).

Moon. That galleon at anchor, General!—Would’nt it be as well to cut away her rigging and send adrift her boats, as we go in? She might make sail whilst we are engaged.

Drake. Well said, my boy. You’ll see to that. Clip her wings and make her wait our pleasure. We can ease her of her precious burden at our leisure. Now, my men, for action! Nombre de Dios is a victim bound for slaughter, and delivered into our hands.

Moon (saluting). The Pinnaces and boats, General, are manned and ready.

Officers are bustling about and giving orders.

Drake. Well done, Moon! You wait for orders. (To Oxenham.) A word before we start, Oxenham. You land on the left—lead your corps round to the back.

Oxenham. And that high ground on the east, General. There might be cannon there?

Drake. Take it in your way. Then push for the eastern gate; it leads to the royal treasure house. Wait there the signal. Here is a plan of the place (he points to it with his finger as he gives it to him, explaining it). You see the course is clear and simple. When you hear the first volley, rush in with tremendous shouting, and meet me in the market-place.

Oxenham. I shall be there, if alive.

Exit Oxenham with his corps in a pinnace.

Drake. Now then pull for the Quay. Away, my men, away! (Exeunt).

Scene changes.