Page:Royalnavyhistory01clow.djvu/549

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1592.]
CRUISE OF FROBISER AND BURGH.
499

latitude of Cape Finisterre, he learnt that the Spaniards had received intelligence of his preparations, and had, in consequence, decided that none of their ships should leave America that year,[1] he quitted the squadron and went home.

SIR MARTIN FROBISER, KT.
(From the 'Heroologia.')

His departure caused much confusion, many of the merchant captains never having undertaken, and being unwilling, to serve under Frobiser. Several, therefore, quitted the squadron, and cruised on their own account; but before they separated they took, off the coast of Spain, a Biscayan ship of 600 tons, laden with ironwork, and sent her to England. After the parting, Sir John Burgh captured a fly-boat, which, however, cost him a long chase to the southward, and drew him within sight of a considerable Spanish fleet, which was to seaward of him, and which threatened to hem him in with the shore. He nevertheless escaped by the

  1. Judging from the result, this intelligence was false.