Among the slain were the
Governor of Manoa, who was Gondomar's own brother, and Sir
Walter's eldest son.
To Ralegh, waiting at the mouth of the Orinoco, came his beaten
forces in retreat, with the terrible news of a happening that
meant his ruin. Half-maddened, his anguish increased by the loss
of his boy, he upbraided them so fiercely that Keymis, who had
been in charge of the expedition, shut himself up in his cabin
and shot himself with a pocket-pistol. Mutiny followed, and
Whitney--most trusted of Sir Walter's captains--set sail for
England, being followed by six other ships of that fleet, which
meanwhile had been reduced to twelve. With the remaining five the
stricken Sir Walter had followed more at leisure. What need to
hurry? Disgrace, and perhaps death, awaited him in England. He
knew the power of Spain with James, who was so set upon a Spanish
marriage for his heir, knew Spain's hatred of himself, and what
eloquence it would gather in the mouth of Gondomar, intent upon
avenging his brother's death.
He feared the worst, and so was glad upon landing to have by him
a kinsman upon whom he could lean for counsel and guidance in
this the darkest hour of all his life. Sitting late that night in
the library of Sir Christopher Hare's house, Sir Walter told his
cousin in detail the story of his misadventure, and confessed to
his misgivings.
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