DIGITISED MANUSCRIPTS

a ll A it~ the Can) remainder of his journey, and to give you a more detailed account of his adventures, his hardships, and his exploits. Before retracing his steps he followed the coast of Mexico, and discovered the gold-mines of California ; then, expecting that the Spaniards would be on the look-out for him if he returned by the Straits of Magellan, he determined on the circuitous route by the Cape of Good Hope. Eighteen months after she had left it, the Pelican sailed in triumph into Plymouth Harbour, having been the first vessel that had circumnavigated the globe. She brought home to the wonder-stricken nation a cargo of bullion, which, if we make the due allowance for the altera- tion in the value of money since those days, and without reckoning the packages of precious gems, we may estimate at 8,000,000/. sterling. The Freebooters were the first pioneers of English trade and commerce ; they dealt the first and severest blows at the naval enemies of England. By their daring acts and successes they broke the power and the prestige of the naval supremacy of Spain and transferred the sceptre of the Ocean to the hands of the sovereigns of England; and when the climax of that struggle was reached, when the Spanish fleet—-the Invincible Armada appeared on the shores of England, they supplied not only money and men, but also the most efficient commanders, thus proving themselves the worthy forerunners of that glorious