When off the Cape they had met with storms, which continued from the 7th of September to the 28th of October, without intermission; and which the old chronicler of the expedition describes as being "more violent, and of longer continuance, than anything since Noah's flood." They had to waste much time, owing to the fact that Captain Winter with one of the ships had, missing his consorts in the storm, sailed back to England, that two other ships were lost, and that Captain Drake with his flagship, which alone remained, had spent much time in searching for his consorts, in every inlet and island.
Among those saved, in the boat from the Spanish ship, was a young gentleman of rank and fortune, and owner of large estates near Lima, who had come down upon some business.

He took a great affection for the young Englishmen, and came each day to visit them, there being no let or hindrance on the part of the governor.
This gentleman assured them that he possessed great influence at Lima; and that, although he doubted not that the military authorities would treat them with all courtesy, after the manner in which they had risked their lives to save subjects of his majesty; yet that, should it be otherwise, he would move heaven and earth in their favor.
"There is but one thing I dread," he said, and a cloud came over his handsome face.
"You need hardly say what it is," Ned said, gravely.

"You mean, of course, the Inquisition." The Spaniard signified his assent by a silent movement of the head.
"We dare not speak, above our breath, of that dreaded tribunal," he said.

"The very walls appear to have ears; and it is better to face a tiger, in his den, than to say ought against the Inquisition.
There are many Spaniards who, like myself, loathe and abhor it; but we are powerless.

Their agents are everywhere, and one knows not in whom he dare confide.