They landed to meet the
natives, who came to the shore and seemed delighted with the presents
which were given them. But soon afterwards Drake and a boatload of his
men, who had gone on shore to procure fresh water, were fiercely attacked
by ambushed Indians, and every man on board was wounded before they could
pull away. Even some of their oars were snatched from them by the Indians,
and Drake was wounded by an arrow in the cheek and struck by a stone on
the side of his face.
[Illustration: THE HARBOR OF VALPARAISO.]
THE HARBOR OF VALPARAISO.
Furious at this unprovoked assault, the crew wished to attack the hostile
natives, but Drake refused to do so.
"No doubt the poor fellows take us for Spaniards," he said; "and we cannot
blame them for attacking any man from Spain."
Some days later a native fisherman was captured and brought on board the
ship. He was in a terrible fright, but was reassured when he learned that
his captors were not Spaniards, but belonged to a nation whose people did
not love Spain.
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