dor, and Sarmiento felt sure the English cosmographers
had the secret of it. The Narrative implies that this piece
of exploration was an integral part of the original scheme
of the voyage; in other words, that Drake had set forth not
to follow the track of Magellan, but to perform the equally
brilliant feat of circumnavigating the New World by way
of what was then known as the 'Straits of Anian.' If
from the west he could solve the problem which had
baffled the most skilful navigators from the east, he hoped
not only to do 'his country a great and notable service,'
but also to have 'a nearer cut and passage home.' It is
possible, therefore, that this was really 'the third way by
Norway' at which Drake hinted; or, again, it may be that
this and not the Horn route was 'the fourth way' which
he would not name. He told Anton he would be home in
six months. Anton said he would not do it in a year,
because he was only going into a cul-de-sac, by which the
skipper meant that the Straits of Anian did not exist. But
Drake protested he was quite satisfied with his course
and meant to go through with it. ¹ For the courageous
attempt the season was fast growing ripe; his consorts he
had practically given up, believing, if still afloat, they
must have been misled by the error of the Spanish charts
into taking too westerly a course, and would go direct to the
Moluccas; and he therefore resolved to seek to the north-
ward without further delay a place where he could careen
for the homeward voyage.

Meanwhile from Panama and Lima armed ships were
scouring the sea to find him. Three weeks after the cap-
ture of the 'Cacafuego' the Peruvian squadron, reorganised
under Don Luis de Toledo, reached Cape San Francisco
in pursuit. Here they were at a loss how to proceed.
Don Luis, who was bound for Spain, obstinately inclined

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