at his side

[Ostap]

A man known only as Diego escaped his Spanish enslavers in Panama in 1572, got on board Drake’s ship and enjoyed a life on the high seas at his side.
telegraph.co.uk

Hello, teachers. What does "at his side" mean in the sentence? Is "his" Drake?

 

[5jj]

Yes. He stood at Drake's side.

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes, "his" means "Drake's".

According to this article, Diego became Drake's personal manservant so he was, quite literally, at his side much of the time.