This vessel, San Felipe by name, with a cargo of extraordinary value, was easily captured, and Sir Francis now determined to return.

He had done a good piece of work in a few weeks, but he was by no means of opinion that he had materially crippled the enemy.

On the contrary, he gave the government warning as to the enormous power and vast preparations of Spain.

"There would be forty thousand men under way ere long," he said, "well equipped and provisioned;" and he stated, as the result of personal observation, that England could not be too energetic in, its measures of resistance.

He had done something with his little fleet, but he was no braggart, and had no disposition to underrate the enemy's power.