But now Sir John Burrough, having happily escaped their clutches; finding the coast guarded by this Fleet; and knowing it was but folly to expect a meeting there with Sir Martin Frobisher (who understanding of this Armada, as well as himself, would be sure not to come that way), began to shape his course to the Azores, according to Sir Walter Ralegh's direction: and came in sight of St. The Isle of St. Michael. Michael; running so near by Villa Franca, that he might easily discern the ships lying there at anchor.
Divers small ships taken.
Divers small Caravels both here and between St George's [Island] and the Pike [Pico], in his course towards Flores, he intercepted: of which no great intelligence for his affairs could be understood.
Arriving before Flores, upon Thursday the 21st of June, towards evening, [in the Roebuck], accompanied only by Captain Caufield and the Master of his ship; the rest not being yet arrived: he made towards the shore with his boat: finding all the people of Santa Cruz, a village of Santa Cruz, a village in the Isle of Flores. that island, in arms; fearing their landing, and ready marshalled to defend their town from spoil.
Sir John, contrariwise, made signs of amity unto them by advancing a white flag, a common token of peace: which was answered again of them with the like. Whereupon ensued intercourses of good friendship; and pledges were taken on both sides, the Captain of the town for them and Captain Caulfield for ours. So that whatsoever our men wanted, which that place could supply, either in fresh water, victuals, or the like, was very willingly granted [i.e. for payment] by the inhabitants; and good leave had they to refresh themselves on shore, as much and as oft as they would, without restraint.
At this Santa Cruz, Sir John Burrough was informed that indeed there was among them no expectation of any Fleet to come from the West: but from the East, News of the East Indian Carracks. that no longer since than three days before his arrival [i.e. 18th June 1592] a Carrack was passed by for Lisbon, and that there were four Carracks more behind, of one consort [company or Fleet].
Sir John, being very glad of this news, stayed no longer on shore, but presently embarked himself: having only in company a small Bark, of 60 tons [? the Phœnix, see page 255], belonging to one Master Hopkins of Bristol.
In the meanwhile that these things thus passed at Flores; part of the rest of the English Fleet, which Sir John Burrough had left upon the coast of Spain, drew also towards the Azores. And whereas he quickly, at sea, had discovered one of the Carracks [the Santa Cruz]: the same evening, he might descry two or three of [George Clifford] the Earl of Cumberland's ships [two of them were the Tiger and the Sampson], whereof one Master Norton was Captain [or as we should now say, Commodore]; which having, in like sort, kenned the Carrack, pursued her by that course which they saw her to run towards the Islands.
But on no side was there any way made, by reason of a great calm which yielded no breath to spread a sail. Insomuch that (fitly to discover her what she was; of what burden, force, and countenance) Sir John Burrough took his boat, and rowed the space of three miles, to make her [out] exactly; and, being returned, he consulted with the better sort of the Company then present, upon the boarding [of] her in the morning.