There were several natives moving about on the beach as the boys approached, and one of these was seen, at once, to start at a run up the road.

The lads had carefully removed all vestige of the paint from their faces and hands and, having put on their doublets, concealed the strange appearance presented before by their white shirts.
No resistance was opposed to their landing; but the natives motioned to them that they must not advance inland, until a messenger returned from the governor.

The boys were only too glad to throw themselves down full length on the soft sand of the beach, and to dry their clothes in the sun; as for ten days they had been constantly wet, and were stiff and tired.
Presently a native came down at a run, and announced that the governor was at hand.

Rising to their feet, and making the best show they could in their faded garments, the lads soon saw a Portuguese gentleman, attended by four soldiers, coming down the road between the cliffs.
"Who are you ?" he asked in Portuguese, as he reached them, "and whence come you ?" "We are Englishmen," Ned said in Spanish.

"We belong to the ship of Captain Drake, which passed by here in its voyage of circumnavigation.
By an accident, we in the canoe were separated from the ship and left behind.