It needed an Englishman to bill-hook a path through that fretwork of branches, and fall upon his enemy six weeks before he was expected--the true combination of daring and endurance that stamps the race current coin across the world! Economy also pleaded for Drake.

But for him the country itself must have burned out the hornets' nest, and the tax-payer paid, and paid dearly.

For there would have been talk of the expedition beforehand, the force would have found an enemy prepared and fortified.

The hornets could sting too! Whereas Drake had burned them out before they had time to buzz.

He need not have said one word in exculpation of himself, and that indeed he knew.