Cocoa nut trees with monkeys.
Enter Chiruca and Drake with the others.
Chiruca. Above a hundred mules and as many llamas loaded! tons of gold, silver, and, precious stones. You must form your own idea of their value. We wonder at your desire for such useless stuff.
Drake. And you consider that we can intercept and take them?
Chiruca. Of course! We are eighteen English, and thirty Symerons, and you know that one Englishman is equal to ten of them. We shall trap them like wolves or buffaloes; in fact, the Spaniards will show us their heels at the first volley from our bows; and the attendants who hate their tyrants will lead the beasts wherever we order. The ambuscade is just below us—close at hand. We can rest, and refresh ourselves here till the hour.
Drake. This is a rich and beautiful valley, but toiling through it under a burning sun, is dry work, and then to be tantalized with these delicious fruits!
He and Chiruca throw themselves on a bank to one side. The rest gather themselves into the centre, and are engaged talking and laughing, when Bang! Bang! Bang! Down comes a shower of cocoa nuts from a mob of monkeys, who thus commence petting their invaders and scamper through the branches screaming and hurling their missiles. Moon is knocked down, and scrambles up in alarm, Drake and Chiruca laughing at the sport.
Moon (running off). Holloa there, messmates! Look out for squalls, what the devil’s up? A legion of Devils, I think. (He peeps from behind a free, laughing with all the others, who have betaken themselves to shelter.) I call that Panama hail, boys, (laughter and cheers from all. The monkeys also chattering in triumph.) Hark to the devils, how they chatter and triumph. Hand me your longbow, Oxenham, and I’ll spoil the sport of that long-tailed rascal, (looking up), I’ll change your grinning.
Drake. Never mind, comrade! Let the poor things have their triumph. We shall enjoy the fruits of victory. Bear a hand with your axe, and open some of these nuts. Give us a drink of the juice. (Moon falls to opening the nuts with a gimlet and his axe, whilst Indians hold Calabashes for the liquor. The rest having gathered melons, plantains, bananas and other juicy fruits into a heap, are eating and enjoying themselves.)
Oxenham (eating a banana). Why Tom, you have brought your whole chest of tools.